International election observation has become an important mechanism for ensuring election integrity in countries undergoing a transition to democracy or in post-conflict societies. International observation today enjoys almost universal acceptance, and helps in raising voter confidence and evaluating the legitimacy of an electoral process and outcome. It has also become a learning opportunity for national electoral administrators and election participants. It promotes bilateral exchanges of knowledge and information on electoral practices, sometimes leading to lasting international relations.

Ordinarily, international observation is used when there are concerns about the freeness or fairness of an election. For international observation to be an effective detector and deterrent of integrity problems, it needs to be adapted to the type of electoral system and election it is covering. An election in a post-conflict society requires a far different kind of observation from an election in a country adopting electoral reforms.

International observer missions are organised by a wide number of actors, such as the European Union, OSCE, Carter Center, African Union, OAS, IRI, NDI, Council of Europe etc.

Decision to Organize an International Observer Mission

Most international observers take on a mission by invitation. The question that arises is whether an electoral process must respect the basic criteria of a free and fair election to deserve being observed. Some organizations feel that a country must meet certain basic standards before they will decide to send an international observer mission. They take this stance because they are concerned that international observation might be perceived as conferring legitimacy on an illegitimate election. However, a country with an electoral process falling short of basic requirements may also need international observers to help it uncover illegal and dishonest practices.

Effectiveness of International Observation

To be effective in ensuring election integrity, international observation should cover the entire electoral process rather than a specific aspect, such as voting or counting of the ballots. Observers should have proper qualifications and training. One of the most common criticisms levelled at international observation is that it has become an opportunity for “electoral tourism”: observers are sometimes seen as lacking professional experience, and they arrive in a country only a few days before election day. To ensure that observer missions are effective and reliable, several conditions must be met:

• Adequate time period. Observer missions should have enough time to get organized and observe the pre-election steps (such as candidate and voter registration), and the post-election steps (counting of the ballots, consolidation of the results and enforcement of the law, if applicable).
• Adequate resources. Effective missions require enough qualified observers and the means (communications, transportation, interpreters) to help them perform their work properly.
• Qualified observers. To ensure that their work has credibility, observers should be qualified and trained.
• Comprehensive coverage. Observers should observe the electoral process as thoroughly as possible to be able to make a credible judgment. Most effective are large-scale checks covering the entire electoral process, performed nationally rather than regionally, and including all areas rather than only problem areas.

Accreditation

To be able to enter electoral sites and undertake credible observation, international observers must be accredited by the electoral management or policy-making body. Selective accreditation or no accreditation raises questions of integrity.

Security Problems

In countries with security problems, certain areas are off limits to observers if government security forces cannot guarantee their safety. How such restrictions affect election integrity and the quality of observation will depend largely on how much of the country is off limits to observers.