Domestic Election Observation and Reporting

Electoral Observation The Electoral Cycle Post-Election Legal Framework Verification of Results Planning & Implementation srt trm Voting Operations and Election Day Training and Education Electoral Campaign Voter Registration long term medium term

Pre-election Observation (1) 1 ) Constitutional and legal framework for elections Critical question : How does the framework uphold principles and ethos of democracy ? 2 ) Boundary delimitation Critical issues : population size; convenience and accessibility of voters; pre-existing administrative and electoral district boundaries 3 ) Voter registration Critical Issues : Inclusivity, accessibility, susceptibility to fraud etc 4) Election administration Critical Issues : Composition, appointment and mandate of Election Management Body

Pre-election observation (2) 5) Registration of political parties and candidates Critical issues : Laws and regulations governing registration of parties and candidates 6) Voter Education Critical Issue : Comphrensiveness and information content, user friendliness including for people living with disabilities 7) Election campaign Critical issues : rules governing campaigns, security issues, funding of parties/resources etc

Election Day Observation (1) Voting Process Areas of focus : 1) Polling Stations Location (accessibility, political, demography, infrastructure) Opening Closure

Election Day Observation (2) 2) Election Materials (ballot papers, ballot boxes, booths, forms, etc) quantities user friendliness (handicapped) security

Election Day Observation (3) Secrecy of Ballot Polling Station layout Ballot papers Logistics Timely distribution of election material Appropriate quantities

Election Day Observation (4) Voters’ roll Multiple voting Intimidation Security of the poll Level of voters’ understanding of the process

Election Day Observation (5) Counting Process Clear procedures Transparent Security Staff training Accuracy Time frame for results processing

Election day and election observation (6) General environment Order Peaceful/Tense

Election Observation Reporting

Election Observation Reporting After election day, observers usually return to their secretariat for debriefing and reporting Type of reports: 1 ) Preliminary statement Captures a summary of the observation made, recommendations and conclusion of the observation Produced while EOM is still on ground

Election Observation Reporting (2) 2) Final Report Comprehensive report on the entire observation Can be produced after one or two months Both preliminary statement and final report are sent to relevant election stakeholders such as EMBs, CSOs, political parties etc

Structure of Report 1 ) Preliminary Report Introduction : Composition and period of deployment Objectives of the Mission Assess whether conditions existed for the conduct of elections that allow the people of Seychelles to freely express their will; Assess and determine whether the elections were conducted in accordance with the constitutional and legal framework for elections in Seychelles; Determine whether the final results of the electoral process as a whole reflect the wishes of the people of Seychelles; and Assess whether the elections met the benchmarks set out in PEMMO, SADC Principles and Guidelines governing democratic elections etc

Preliminary Report (II) Methodology of Observation Areas of deployment Interaction with stakeholders Attendance to election campaign rallies Observation of voting and counting operations Benchmarking instruments used Preliminary Findings Benchmarked on the legal framework, regional and international instruments Voter education, political tolerance, citizen participation in elections, voting and counting, results management

Preliminary Report (III) Recommendations Areas of improvement based on the Mission’s assessment Conclusions A balanced appraisal of the whole observation process, and should explicitly state the Mission’s position regarding the electoral process

Report Structure (II) Final Report Executive summary Political and electoral background The Electoral Framework The Pre-election Phase The Election Phase The Post Election Phase Conclusions and Recommendations

Final Report (II) 1)The Executive summary A synopsis of the entire of observation covering type of elections observed, number of observers and regions deployed, instruments used to assess the electoral process, and conclusions made. 2) The Electoral Framework This is the institutional and legal context within which the elections are being organised The Constitution The Electoral Act The electoral system The political party registration and funding Act The code of conduct The Electoral Management Body –appointment, composition, funding, powers and functions

Final Report (III) 3) The Pre-Election Phase 4) The Election Phase Voter Registration Candidate nomination process Voter education and information Election campaign Media coverage of the electoral process 4) The Election Phase Polling station and provision of election material Voter’s roll and voter turn out Voting operations : polling clerks, opening and closing of polls, voting procedures, security, voting from abroad, party agents, observers etc Counting process

Final Report (IV) Results auditing Results centres 5) The Post Election Phase Results auditing Results centres Announcement of results 6) Conclusions and Recommendations Findings and conclusions Recommendations and areas of improvement