1. EMBs and Electoral Observer Organisations: Fostering Credible Elections
Sustainable Electoral Processes, Strengthened Democracy- Seoul, October 2013

2. Overview The symbolism of elections Elections & Democracy
Elections and Legitimacy
Civil Society and Democracy
Suggested areas of EMB/EOO Collaboration

3. South Africa at Birth: 1994 Voting Station Queue

4. Elections and Democracy
Ballot vs Bullet debate settled;
In the African Continent, high prevalence of Coups de tat from the early 1960s to late 1980s;
Prevalence of one-party states in the same period;
Decline in coups since 1990;
Entrenchment of multi-party elections post 1990;
Link between elections and legitimacy now firmly established.

5. Elections and Legitimacy
Elections not equal to legitimacy;
Not just any elections but credible elections;
Lack of credibility =major negative consequences;
Ethiopia 2005
Kenya 2005
Credible elections = legitimacy.

6. …Elections and Legitimacy
Drivers of credible elections;
Legal Frameworks and Codes of Conduct;
Citizen rights to vote and be elected;
Fair and transparent procedures;
Free electoral environments enabling free participation; (International Election Standards)
High ethical standards and credibility of the EMB.

7. Civil Society and Democracy
Civil society has played a critical role in various ways globally;
In Malawi, the Pastoral letter of 1992 played a seminal role in kick-starting a move from one-party to multi-party dispensation;
In elections, international, regional and domestic groups play critical and complementary roles;
Domestic Observers particularly critical as they can monitor and evaluate the whole electoral cycle.

8. ...Civil Society and Democracy
For improved EMB/Election Observer Organisation Relations:
Acknowledge EOO public purpose
Broadening ownership of electoral processes beyond EMB and political contestants;
Promoting elections as the only tool of deciding who should govern;
Promoting the credibility of elections.
Acknowledge how EO has become systematised and more reliable.

9. Areas of Collaboration
Knowledge Sharing;
Communicating on critical matters that may effect the election;
Active engagement for input into proposed legal framework changes in between elections;
Institutionalise the processing of Observer Mission Reports within the EMB;
Encourage high standards of training for observers.

10. Electoral Cycle (source: www.idea.int)