Commonwealth Election Observation Missions - Phase II

This grant supports Commonwealth member States in developing stronger more transparent electoral practices and institutions. The presence of international election observers on the ground allows for more transparent elections in line with national and international standards. The emphasis and approach of Commonwealth Observer Groups is to engage in high-level dialogue with relevant political and electoral authorities and differs from the much more technical approach of other partners. The Commonwealth selects observers from all member states and chooses influential participants that can positively affect democracy in the recipient country through their access and clout. These include ex-heads of states electoral officials lawyers and eminent members of civil society organizations non-governmental organizations and journalists. Under the project these eminent observers engaged in high-level dialogue with national authorities and political parties electoral management authorities media representatives domestic observer groups and civil society organizations to promote dialogue between stakeholders and a commitment by all to inclusive transparent elections. Commonwealth Observer Groups assessed the conduct of elections in Commonwealth member-states in line with national and international standards and commitments to ensure fair and transparent elections. Each mission produced ongoing assessments of the electoral processes observed and published a Final Report stating the mission’s final assessment of the elections and establishing recommendations for improving the electoral process in the host country. These recommendations provided valuable and timely inputs for these countries’ governments electoral management bodies and the broader international community to strengthen electoral and democratic institutions and processes. As of July 2012 CIDA funded the implementation of 18 Commonwealth Observer Groups including the deployment of 148 eminent commonwea