Observers

Observers, both domestic and international, play a crucial role in ensuring that the elections are transparent, free and fair, and that the outcome is accepted by voters, political parties and candidates.

According to the United Nations, election observation is a valuable tool for improving the quality of elections, as:

"Observers help build public confidence in the honesty of electoral processes. Observation can help promote and protect the civil and political rights of participants in elections. It can lead to the correction of errors or weak practices, even while an election process is still under way. It can deter manipulation and fraud, or expose such problems if they do occur. When observers issue positive reports, it builds trust in the democratic process and enhances the legitimacy of the governments that emerge from elections."

International observers often have vast experience of elections in various parts of the world and are able to give an election management body like the Electoral Commission invaluable advice and support.