Role in Election Observation
International organisations, whether state-based or state or independently funded non-governmental organisations (NGOs), would normally undertake election observation at the invitation (voluntary or induced) of the host country and may be granted wider access to the election processes than local monitors. In their experience, available professional skills and resources they will generally have a more solid base for independent observation than local NGOs (see Local NGOs and CBOs). As outsiders, they can bring new and valuable perspectives to the operation of election processes. This applies equally to mature democracies and to states in political or democratic transition periods; elections in stable environments are equally worthy of international observation.
(For a full general discussion of the structural, planning and recruitment frameworks for election observation, see Election Observation and Observer Sources and Recruitment.)
Staffing
International organisations usually are better prepared to concentrate on providing professional observers. Given the expense of international observation, the recruitment of amateurs is generally not supportable. Such professionals should generally possess expertise in technical election functions or election observation, though to monitor some activities, expertise in other election-related areas are also required, such as legal analysis, media, statistics, political analysis, political party activities and, increasingly, computer systems, software and networking analysis.
International observer missions will also need to recruit staff for observer training and mission administration functions. Depending on the size of the mission and the level of local support available, this may need to include logistics, personnel, communications and financial administration staff. Language issues need also to be addressed, either requiring fluency in local languages as a condition of staff selection or in the provision of full-time interpreter support for observer teams.
As for local observers, selection for observer positions for international missions must be on the basis of meeting defined criteria of skills, knowledge and personal qualities. Potential recruits could be sourced:
- through registers of experienced observation staff maintained by election-focused international organisations;
- through countries' electoral administration bodies;
- for some specialist positions, through professional associations, academia or political parties.
Where a number of international organisations are involved in observing the same electoral process, coordination of recruiting efforts will assist in later deployment coordination (see Election Observation and Observer Deployment).
Cultural Issues
International observers will most likely be assigned to a country with whose culture, environment and background they are not familiar. It is thus most important that international observers are recruited and assigned to the country early enough to acclimate themselves with the environment before the commencement of observation tasks. The role of observer training in providing cultural and political background information is of heightened importance for international observer missions. Additionally, international missions are likely to be comprised of members from widely different cultures and different organisational orthodoxies. This requires a special emphasis, both through the recruitment process and training, on team-building issues and a careful application of clarity and equity in administrative arrangements. (For a discussion of observer training requirements and strategies, see Training for Observers.)
Observation or Technical Assistance
In developing large-scale observation programs, international organisations should consider whether some or all of the expertise available could be more cost-effectively used in election technical assistance or local observer training projects. Skills transfers and local capacity-building resulting from assisting, rather than merely observing, is likely to effect immediate improvement and may eliminate the need for future mass observation missions.
