Election Observation Manual
A guide for domestic election observers
Your do’s checklist
Your do’s checklist
✔Do remain independent and non-partisan at all times.
✔Do respect the authority of the Presiding Officer at polling stations.
✔Do wear accreditation badges visibly while observing.
✔Do follow the Electoral Management Body’s (EMB) Code of Conduct, REC’S principles and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG).
✔Do introduce yourself to election officials and other observers.
Your dont’s checklist
Your dont’s checklist
✗Do not instruct, intervene or interfere in the electoral process.
✗Do not publicly support or advocate for any political party or candidate.
✗Do not engage in discussions that could be perceived as partisan.
✗Do not use mobile phones inside the polling station unless required for reporting.
✗Do not leave the polling station before the entire voting and counting process is completed.
Your do’s checklist
Your do’s checklist
✔Do arrive at the assigned polling station at least one hour before opening.
✔Do observe the entire process from setup to results announcement.
✔Do verify that ballot boxes are empty before they are sealed.
✔Do ensure voters’ fingers are checked for indelible ink before voting.
✔Do record and report observations at designated times throughout the day.
Your dont’s checklist
Your dont’s checklist
✗Do not switch or choose polling stations independently; follow assigned locations.
✗Do not interact with voters in a way that could influence their decisions.
✗Do not obstruct election officials or the voting process.
✗Do not assist voters in marking their ballots; only designated assistants can do so.
✗Do not allow unauthorised persons inside the polling station.
Your do’s checklist
Your do’s checklist
✔Do use the pre-printed checklist and report all observations accurately.
✔Do send six observation reports via coded text messages throughout the day.
✔Do immediately report any critical incidents using the proper form and procedures.
✔If assigned to a polling station without network coverage, submit reports as soon as possible from a location with a signal, only after the results have been announced and posted.
✔Do answer all reporting questions using the correct format and coding.
Your dont’s checklist
Your dont’s checklist
✗Do not leave the polling station to send reports if there is no network; wait until the process is complete.
✗Do not fabricate or exaggerate incidents in reports.
✗Do not delay in submitting observation reports.
✗Do not send incorrectly formatted messages; follow the specified structure.
✗Do not fail to report a critical incident that undermines the integrity of the election.
Your do’s checklist
Your do’s checklist
✔Do stay calm and professional in case of disputes or tensions.
✔Do politely bring concerns to the attention of the Presiding Officer if needed.
✔Do complete and submit a Critical Incident Form for any major issues observed.
✔Do remain present at the polling station even if not allowed to observe, and report the issue.
✔Do document any intimidation, violence, or disruptions accurately.
Your dont’s checklist
Your dont’s checklist
✗Do not physically intervene in any conflict or altercation.
✗Do not argue with election officials, party agents, or voters.
✗Do not ignore or dismiss instances of intimidation or violence.
✗Do not leave the general vicinity of the polling station even if denied access.
✗Do not assume authority over polling station operations.
Your do’s checklist
Your do’s checklist
✔Do observe the entire counting process at the assigned polling station.
✔Do ensure that results are posted publicly at the polling station.
✔Do verify that all ballot boxes remain sealed before counting starts.
✔Do confirm that party agents sign the results forms if they agree with the figures.
✔Do document any irregularities or recount requests.
Your dont’s checklist
Your dont’s checklist
✗Do not attempt to influence or dispute the counting process.
✗Do not leave before the results have been officially posted.
✗Do not interfere with party agents or election officials handling the ballots.
✗Do not accept any unofficial result announcements.
✗Do not allow unauthorised persons to be present during the counting process.
Your do’s checklist
Your do’s checklist
✔Do remain independent and non-partisan at all times.
✔Do respect the authority of the Presiding Officer at polling stations.
✔Do wear accreditation badges visibly while observing.
✔Do follow the Electoral Management Body’s (EMB) Code of Conduct, REC’S principles and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (CADEG).
✔Do introduce yourself to election officials and other observers.
Your dont’s checklist
Your dont’s checklist
✗Do not instruct, intervene or interfere in the electoral process.
✗Do not publicly support or advocate for any political party or candidate.
✗Do not engage in discussions that could be perceived as partisan.
✗Do not use mobile phones inside the polling station unless required for reporting.
✗Do not leave the polling station before the entire voting and counting process is completed.
Your do’s checklist
Your do’s checklist
✔Do arrive at the assigned polling station at least one hour before opening.
✔Do observe the entire process from setup to results announcement.
✔Do verify that ballot boxes are empty before they are sealed.
✔Do ensure voters’ fingers are checked for indelible ink before voting.
✔Do record and report observations at designated times throughout the day.
Your dont’s checklist
Your dont’s checklist
✗Do not switch or choose polling stations independently; follow assigned locations.
✗Do not interact with voters in a way that could influence their decisions.
✗Do not obstruct election officials or the voting process.
✗Do not assist voters in marking their ballots; only designated assistants can do so.
✗Do not allow unauthorised persons inside the polling station.
Your do’s checklist
Your do’s checklist
✔Do use the pre-printed checklist and report all observations accurately.
✔Do send six observation reports via coded text messages throughout the day.
✔Do immediately report any critical incidents using the proper form and procedures.
✔If assigned to a polling station without network coverage, submit reports as soon as possible from a location with a signal, only after the results have been announced and posted.
✔Do answer all reporting questions using the correct format and coding.
Your dont’s checklist
Your dont’s checklist
✗Do not leave the polling station to send reports if there is no network; wait until the process is complete.
✗Do not fabricate or exaggerate incidents in reports.
✗Do not delay in submitting observation reports.
✗Do not send incorrectly formatted messages; follow the specified structure.
✗Do not fail to report a critical incident that undermines the integrity of the election.
Your do’s checklist
Your do’s checklist
✔Do stay calm and professional in case of disputes or tensions.
✔Do politely bring concerns to the attention of the Presiding Officer if needed.
✔Do complete and submit a Critical Incident Form for any major issues observed.
✔Do remain present at the polling station even if not allowed to observe, and report the issue.
✔Do document any intimidation, violence, or disruptions accurately.
Your dont’s checklist
Your dont’s checklist
✗Do not physically intervene in any conflict or altercation.
✗Do not argue with election officials, party agents, or voters.
✗Do not ignore or dismiss instances of intimidation or violence.
✗Do not leave the general vicinity of the polling station even if denied access.
✗Do not assume authority over polling station operations.
Your do’s checklist
Your do’s checklist
✔Do observe the entire counting process at the assigned polling station.
✔Do ensure that results are posted publicly at the polling station.
✔Do verify that all ballot boxes remain sealed before counting starts.
✔Do confirm that party agents sign the results forms if they agree with the figures.
✔Do document any irregularities or recount requests.
Your dont’s checklist
Your dont’s checklist
✗Do not attempt to influence or dispute the counting process.
✗Do not leave before the results have been officially posted.
✗Do not interfere with party agents or election officials handling the ballots.
✗Do not accept any unofficial result announcements.
✗Do not allow unauthorised persons to be present during the counting process.
