Monitoring ethics are usually included in the Codes of Conduct for Political Parties. The election management or policy bodies may also have a separate code of conduct that would apply to any party agent accredited as a monitor.
In general, to ensure integrity in monitoring, monitors:
- Obey the laws of the country, the rules of the election management body on monitoring, and the rules set by their political party or candidate;
- Know and understand the electoral law, procedures and electoral calendar;
- Observe in a nonthreatening, and impartial manner. No weapons of any kind are carried and no citizen registering or voting is intimidated either verbally or physically;
- Help facilitate the administration of elections and not interfere or obstruct the routine duties of the election workers;
- Monitor constructively. Challenge mistakes and questionable actions by election managers in a courteous and factual manner;
- Report monitoring observations accurately and base all reports on factual information. Specify when information is partial or incomplete; and
- Not interfere with the work of other observers, monitors or the press.
