Audience - Observer groups comprise people from different backgrounds, with varying levels of technical knowledge about elections and different professional or other skills. As many observers will be operating in unfamiliar environments, their manuals should be a complete guide to the election framework and procedures, their monitoring role and responsibilities, observation administration, and observer survival. These subjects are the necessary basis for observer training
Subject Matter:
• purpose, scope, and objectives of the observation program;
• the principles of neutral, independent observation;
• the political and cultural background and legal and administrative frameworks for the election, including relevant extracts from electoral legislation and rules, examples, and potential problems or issues of interest which may need special attention;
• list of voting operations administration, political party, community organisation, media (where appropriate), and legal contacts at the appropriate levels;
• identification of required observer activities, including issues to be monitored, methods of monitoring, and action to be taken if irregularities are discovered;
• observer code of conduct, explanation of its meaning, and enforcement provisions;
• statement of rights of observers;
• accreditation requirements;
• examples of election materials;
• use of observer communications systems and reporting requirements;
• copies of monitoring checklists to be completed by observers and instructions on how to complete them;
• personal and group security information, including, where necessary, emergency evacuation plans and mine information;
• administration arrangements for observers, e.g., deployment details, administrative contacts, accommodation information, transport information, logistics, emergency services contacts, training requirements and details, regular and emergency payment arrangements.
