Election observers play a crucial role in ensuring the integrity and transparency of the electoral process.

Their main responsibilities include:
1. Monitoring voting and counting processes to ensure accuracy and fairness.
2. Verifying that elections are conducted in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.
3. Reporting any irregularities or violations to the appropriate authorities.
4. Providing an impartial assessment of the electoral process.
5. Enhancing public confidence in the electoral process.
6. Supporting electoral authorities in improving the quality of elections.
7. Promoting accountability and transparency in the electoral process.

Election observers can be domestic or international, and are often deployed by organizations such as the
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the European Union (EU), and the Carter
Center. Their observations and reports can help to ensure that elections are free, fair, and credible.

DO’S AND DON’T’S FOR ELECTION OBSERVERS
DO:
i. Arrive at polling stations early to observe setup and preparation
ii. Observe voting, counting, and tabulation processes
iii. Take notes and record observations accurately
iv. Report irregularities or violations to authorities
v. Maintain impartiality and neutrality
vi. Follow established protocols and procedures
vii. Respect voting secrecy and confidentiality
viii. Cooperate with election officials and authorities
ix. Stay informed about electoral laws and regulations

DONT:
i. Interfere with voting or counting processes
ii. Influence voters or election officials
iii. Engage in political campaigning or propaganda
iv. Disclose personal opinions or biases
v. Take photos or videos that compromise voting secrecy

vi. Share unverified information or rumors
vii. Disrupt or obstruct the electoral process
viii. Fail to report irregularities or violations
ix. Compromise your impartiality or independence

NB. Election observers play a crucial role in ensuring the integrity of the electoral process. By following
these Dos and Donts, they can help maintain the transparency, credibility, and fairness of elections.

Code of Conduct for Domestic Mobile domestic mobile observers
The Code of Conduct for IEC stipulates, among others, the need to observe South African laws and
regulations; maintain personal discipline and behaviour that is beyond reproach; maintain strict impartiality in
the conduct of duties, and not to express any bias or preference in relation to national authorities, parties and
candidates contesting in the electoral process; and to refrain from making personal or premature comments or
judgements about their observations to the media or any other interested persons. Domestic mobile observers,
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.
A fully transparent and accountable election system should be open to scrutiny not just from political
participants but also from interest groups with a focus on governance issues. According to the United Nations,
as quoted by the IEC, 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 “static or mobile”observers issue positive reports, it builds trust
in the democratic process and enhances the legitimacy of the governments that emerge from elections."
Any person appointed as an accredited observer must comply with orders issued by the following:
i. The IEC
ii. Electoral officer
iii. Police, acting on the instruction of an IEC officer.
Meaningful observation depends on full access to information including:
1. legislation, rules, regulations and procedural documentation regarding the election;
2. voter registration records;
3. voting station location determination and staffing records;
4. ballots, records of ballots issued, of counts and results;
5. decisions on determination of voter eligibility;
6. decisions of and instructions to electoral management or other relevant bodies (for example,
media regulation or security);

7. instructions to polling officials and other election staff;
8. records of complaints or challenges.
Also very important is the freedom to make personal contact with election officials, party members, voters
and the general public. Such contacts enable mobile domestic mobile observers to examine the effect and
perceptions of election processes on political participants and the public, not merely the processes
themselves. Unreasonable refusal to provide observer access to election-relevant information, or intimidation
of those who provide mobile domestic mobile observers with information, can be taken as a priori evidence
of possible system manipulation and should be the subject of immediate reporting and complaint.
Information Gathering Responsibilities – Domestic mobile observers have rights to information, but also
responsibilities. They must be professional, culturally sensitive, and mindful of resource limitations. Their
impartiality is crucial, in data collection, analysis, and communication with all parties involved. Any
interference or disregard for election rules undermines their independence and the value of their findings.
Right to Disseminate Information and Findings – The intended product of observation is an enhanced,
more open flow of information about the functioning and quality of election processes, potentially leading to
redress of any irregularities and future improvement. Making this information available to the media, local
political participants, election administrators, and the general public enhances its impact. It may be necessary,
however, to seek guarantees of freedom to release observer information and reports locally.
Information Dissemination Responsibilities – In releasing information or findings, there is a responsibility
on mobile domestic mobile observers to ensure that information provided is factual, verifiable, and clearly
and unemotionally presented. Election environments can be volatile, with political participants ready to seize
on any hint of errors, irregularities or bias. Care needs to be taken in passing information to the media and
political participants, as meanings can easily be twisted to suit particular agendas.
NB. Only trained media contacts should interact with the press. Mobile domestic mobile observers must be
discreet with information, avoiding premature or alarming disclosures that could endanger sources. Balanced
reporting is key: highlight well-run elections and identify issues for improvement. Disseminating information
requires verifying facts, analysis, and language.
Intervention in Election Processes – Domestic mobile observers may need to take a more active role in
elections, but this risks compromising their neutrality. Intervention is justified in two situations.
1. Domestic mobile observers can file formal complaints about irregularities if electoral bodies don't
address them.
2. Domestic mobile observers may be asked to assist overwhelmed election officials, but only after
consulting superiors to avoid compromising procedures. Direct intervention in managing elections is
strictly prohibited.

IEC Regulations are in place to govern the accreditation of mobile domestic mobile observers. This
includes a Code of Conduct for Accredited domestic observers. In terms of the Regulations, the
accreditation of an observer is valid for a year, but is conditional on the observance of the Code of
Conduct. In terms of the Code of Conduct, every accredited observer must:

1. Work independently of government in support of a genuine democratic election process without
regard to who wins or loses , and employ the best practises, methodologies and techniques, in
light of non -partisan principles and suited to national conditions , in order to observe and
monitor the various elements of the election process throughout the election cycle .
2. As mobile domestic mobile observers, we shall maintain strict impartiality and neutrality
throughout the electoral process, refraining from any form of bias or partisanship. The observer
is neither a candidate nor activist for any political , group, movement or other association that
seek public office in the upcoming election.
3. Respect the country’s constitution, laws, regulatins, and international obligations consistant with
holding democratic elections ,promote respect for electoral related rightsand call on other
involved with elections to do the same.
4. Cooperate closely with other election mobile domestic mobile observers and monitors from non
partisan citizen organisations that endorse the declaration of Global Principles for Non-Partisan
Election Observation and Monitoring by Citizens organisatiins and cooperate with International
Observer missions
5. Report impartiality, accurately and timely all observation and findings both positive and
negative with sufficient documentation of all serious problems to permit verification of the
events and with sufficient evidence.
6. Respect the roles of impartial election authorities at all levels and at no time interfere unlawfully
or inappropriately in the administration of the elections, as well as seek diligently to work in
cooperation with impartial election officials and follow lawful instructions from them or other
appropriate authorities concerning protection of electoral integrity.
7. Adhere to all relevant electoral laws and procedures established by the Independent Electoral
Commission (IEC) of South Africa, ensuring that our actions do not interfere with the integrity
of the electoral process.
8. Refrain from any actions that may interfere with the voting process or intimidate voters,
candidates, or electoral officials. Our presence should serve to enhance confidence in the
electoral process, not disrupt it.
9. Conduct observations openly and transparently, documenting findings accurately and truthfully
and maintain accountability by promptly reporting any irregularities or concerns to the
appropriate authorities.
10. Domestic mobile observers conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times, treating all
individuals involved in the electoral process with respect and dignity, regardless of their political
affiliation or status.
11. Collaborate with other domestic mobile observers, stakeholders, and electoral authorities to
enhance the effectiveness of our observations and promote a credible and inclusive electoral
process.

12. Maintain the confidentiality of sensitive information obtained during our observations and
ensure the protection of personal data in accordance with relevant privacy laws and regulations.

KEY ASPECTS IN OBSERVING ELECTIONS:
i. Domestic mobile observers will exhibit the highest levels of personal discretion and professional
behaviour at all times.
ii. Domestic mobile observers will carry any prescribed identification issued by IEC and will identify
themselves to any authority upon request.
iii. Domestic mobile observers will not make any comments to the media on the electoral process or on the
substance of their observations, and any comment to the media will be limited to general information
about the observation mission and the role of the mobile domestic observers.
iv. Domestic mobile observers will undertake their duties in an unobtrusive manner and will not interfere in
the electoral process. Domestic mobile observers may raise questions with election officials and bring
irregularities to their attention, but they must not give instructions or countermand their decisions.
v. Domestic mobile observers who violate any provisions of the code of conduct will be immediately
withdrawn and their organisation will be notified,

KEY FIELD WORK CONSIDERATIONS
It is important that domestic mobile observers familiarise themselves with the area in which they will be
observing the elections. For instance, they would need to know the following:
i. Which parties are the dominant political parties in the area
ii. Where the voting stations are
iii. The telephone number of the national and provincial electoral offices, as well as the emergency numbers
for the emergency services

Domestic mobile observers should also ensure that they:
i. introduce themselves to the presiding officer or counting officer;
ii. do not interfere with the functions of the voting staff or security;
iii. are neutral and impartial;