Election Observation Missions
In accordance with Decision No EX.Cl/Dec.534 (XVI) adopted during the Sixteen Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union on February 01, 2010, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission AUC through the office of the Director of Political Affairs (DPA) requested the Pan- African Parliament and other AU concerned organs to participate in the joint AU Election Observer Missions.
In implementing this decision, the PAP and DPA agreed that PAP would provide 40% of observers and that staff from both organs would cooperate in the organisation of the missions.
The mandates of the AU missions are to observe the elections in conformity with the relevant provisions of the following AU instruments:
- The African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG), which entered into force on 15 February 2012 and which is intended to enhance electoral processes in Africa; strengthen electoral institutions and the conduct of fair, free and transparent elections;
- The AU/OAU Declaration on the Principles Governing Democratic Elections in Africa (AHG/Dec.1 (XXXVII)), adopted by the Assembly of the African Union in July 2002;
- The African Union Guidelines for Elections observation and monitoring missions; and
- The Constitution and laws of the countries.
Prior to February 2010, the Pan-African Parliament organised its own electoral observation missions, independent of any other AU Organ. The Parliament successfully carried out pre-election workshops, sensitizing and briefing Members on what was expected of them as Observers in terms of managing elections.
