This question was posted by ACE on behalf of ACE user Lauren Farmer.

Original Question:

I am starting to organize a research project on the rise and role of "zombie" election monitors: election monitors that have been created to approve or rubberstamp unfree and unfair elections (some examples include the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Central Asia, and the Commonwealth of Independent States in Eastern Europe). I'm interested to know if anyone has encountered these actors or groups in the course of your work and would be open to sharing your knowledge.

Summary of Responses:

One practitioner indicated that election observation groups such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) can be fairly criticized for lacking a credible methodology for election observation; coming into disagreement with the statements of other credible observer groups; and failing to sign the Declaration of Principles for International Observation. This practitioner preferred reserving the term “zombie,” however, for groups that come into being for the sole purpose of discrediting elections, as occurred in recent elections in Azerbaijan. 

Further, some practitioners noted that "zombie" election monitors are less established and organized than the SCO and CIS regional groups, which primarily work in former Soviet countries. "Zombie" election monitors would often be characterized by their lack of active participation in the electoral process and silence with respect to observed irregularities. Such groups were reported by practitioners in Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Ecuador.

One practitioner noted that it has become normal for these non-credible observation groups to emerge around electoral events in Zimbabwe. While these groups do apply for accreditation from the Electoral Commission under the guise of civil society groups, further research into their background reveals that they are largely funded by the ruling party. The practitioner contends that these groups serve partially as an intelligence apparatus to update party functionaries on the conduct of election officials, as well as gather general information to inform party strategy. At the end of each mission, they compile reports which endorse the conduct of elections as free and fair.

Elections in Mozambique have also witnessed partisan groups that register as election observers, but never release statements or reports. According to one practitioner, their role, in essence, is to "double" the power of party agents at polling stations.

Contributing members:

• Jack Zaba
• Miguel de Brito
• Francisco Morales Gomez
• Holly Ruthrauff 
• Charles Obot 

In Zimbabwe it has become norm that such "Zombie election monitors" do emerge around given electoral events. New, shadowy groups do apply for accreditation from the Electoral Commission under the guise of civic society groups. But further inquiry into the background of such groups revealed that they are largely funded by the ruling party and are composed of individuals usually drawn from some government agents,briefcase NGOs and the party`s own staff members. Partly they are an intelligence apparatus meant to update party functionaries about the behavior and conduct of election officials as well as general information gathering to inform party strategy during a given electoral event. Their task at the end of each mission is to compile reports which wholesomely endorse the conduct of elections as free and fair.

In Mozambique, we have also witnessed such groups, but on both sides of the political divide. They are partisan groups that register as election observers, but never release statements or reports. Their role is to "double" the power of party agents at polling stations.

Es muy singular el calificativo de " observadores zombies" seguramente el calificativo se debe a la falta de participación activa en los procesos electorales, además que guardan silencio cómplice de las irregularidades que constatan dentro de los procesos electorales; lo que es singular por las experiencias en procesos comiciales de mi país- Ecuador- y que en efecto se encuentra regulada la actividad de los observadores especialmente internacionales, en asuntos puntuales d las etapas del proceso electoral, especialmente están presentes en los días anteriores, durante y días posteriores al acto electoral. Los observadores tienen obligaciones prioritarias para informar al organismo o país al cual pertenecen, sin embargo de ello, las observaciones que pueden entregar al organismo electoral encargado de los procesos, una serie de recomendaciones para mejorar la organización de las futuras elecciones. Más en la mayoría de casos estas obervaciones no son de difusión pública, guardan recato y sigilo por efecto del respeto al país anfitrión, que podrían impedir que se diga las verdades observadas por temor a que las relaciones bilaterales o con organismos extranjeros puedan deteriorarse, y los comentarios efectuados puedan incidir en dar inestabilidad o ilegitimidad los dignatarios que salieren electos. Se ha considerado también calificarle a la actividad de observadores electorales como los turistas electorales, ya que en casos no entregan al menos recomendaciones formales de su visita, mucho más aún, cuando los países observados invierten significativos recursos en la movilización, estadía, pasajes aéreos, etc. Hay valorar adecuadamente la actividad de los observadores, dar algún tipo de responsabilidad a las observaciones y en forma especial se debe otorgar un marco jurídico específico que armonice la no intervención en asuntos internos de los países, con la validez de las observaciones.

No obstante, se hace importante que la presencia de observadores internacionales permitan dar un sello de legalidad y legitimidad a los procesos electorales, más por el contrario no pueden otorgar esa misma característica al proceso electoral, contraviniendo la realidad de los hechos que lesionen la expresión pura del sufragio o aupando los intereses de un candidato, sector o partido político, que tenga afinidad política coyuntural. 

CIS and SCO regularly observe elections in former Soviet countries.  We regularly encountered them with the OSCE ODIHR (where I was an election adviser from 2003-07). Both organisations lack credible methodologies for election observation and have failed to sign the Declaration of Principles for International Observation. The assessments of these organisations typically are in complete disagreement with the statements of other credible observer groups, such as the ODIHR. 

At the same time, I do not know how constructive it is to refer to these two particular groups as 'zombie observers', as they are regional intergovernmental organisations. Instead I would challenge their lack of methodology and encourage them to use international standards as a basis for observation and to sign the Declaration of Principles. 

There are other organisations that are less established and only come into being for the purpose of discrediting elections, who I would rather refer to as 'zombies'.  You may find examples at recent Azerbaijan elections, for instance.

In new democracies/countries in democratic transition, the problem may not only be "zombie election monitors". Even the apparently credible and well-known ones often do not widely publicize their election monitoring reports. Often and at best, such reports are presented to the government. Where the content is indicting or uncomplimentary, such report will not be made known to the populace/electorate as it is often the case in Nigeria. In such situation, the observed lapses will continue in the next election where the incumbent government/ political party won. The people would not aware of what they could used citizens' power to change.