The Pan-African Parliament (PAP), in collaboration with the African Union Commission’s Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (DPAPS) through its Democracy and Elections Unit (DEU), and with technical support from the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA), is hosting a three-day Election Observation Training for Pan-African Parliamentarians from 12 to 14 November 2025 in Pretoria, South Africa.
The training brings together more than 40 Members of the Pan-African Parliament, including members of the PAP Secretariat, to strengthen their capacity to participate effectively in African Union Election Observation Missions (AUEOMs) and to enhance the institution’s contribution to promoting democracy, good governance, and credible elections across the continent.
Opening the programme, His Excellency Hon. Chief Fortune Charumbira, President of the Pan-African Parliament, underscored the importance of credible, transparent, and inclusive elections as the foundation of democratic governance in Africa. He emphasized that PAP’s participation in election observation is a core part of its mandate to uphold democracy and protect the will of the people.
“The credibility of elections determines the legitimacy of leadership and the stability of nations,” he said. “Elections must deliver enduring acceptance and legitimacy, so that citizens defend those they have freely elected against any unconstitutional attempts to remove them from office.”
President Charumbira further highlighted that Members of Parliament bring unique firsthand experience to election observation, having themselves contested and participated in electoral processes. Recalling the African Union’s commitment that 40 percent of AU Election Observation Missions should comprise Pan-African Parliamentarians, he called for stronger coordination between PAP and AU technical teams to ensure the full realization of this target.
“Election observation is best done by Members of Parliament themselves; people who have gone through elections and understand the process,” he added.
Participants echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the Pan-African Parliament’s crucial role in following up on AU Election Observation Mission findings through its legislative and oversight functions. They noted that effective election observation not only supports credible electoral outcomes but also strengthens constitutionalism, accountability, and public trust in democratic institutions.
Grounded in key African Union instruments, including the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (2007), the OAU/AU Declaration on the Principles Governing Democratic Elections in Africa (2002), and the AU Guidelines for Electoral Observation and Monitoring Missions (2002), the training introduces participants to the AU’s observation methodology, observer code of conduct, reporting standards, and post-election follow-up mechanisms that link electoral observation to broader governance reform.
Facilitated by experts from the AU’s Democracy and Elections Unit and EISA, the sessions combine technical presentations, interactive discussions, and practical case studies. They focus on applying democratic norms and benchmarks, ensuring impartial and evidence-based observation, and translating observation findings into actionable policy and legislative reforms.
By the conclusion of the programme, PAP will have established a capacitated pool of 40 trained Pan-African Parliament election observers ready for deployment across Africa in upcoming elections. The initiative is also strengthening collaboration between PAP, DPAPS, and EISA to advance the implementation of election-related reforms and sustain the African Union’s democracy promotion agenda.
This joint effort underscores the African Union and Pan-African Parliament’s shared commitment to building democratic resilience through practical capacity-building, institutional cooperation, and adherence to continental and international electoral standards.
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