OAS Electoral Observation Missions 2011 Department for Electoral - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

September 15, 2011

OAS Electoral Observation Missions 2011

Department for Electoral Cooperation and Observation Secretariat for Political Affairs

DECO DECO

The The Department Department for for Electoral Electoral Cooperation Cooperation and and Observation Observation (DECO) (DECO) is is the the unit unit within within the the OAS OAS Secretariat Secretariat for for Political Political Affairs Affairs of

• f the

the OAS OAS that that is is responsible responsible for for supporting supporting the the region region’ ’s s electoral electoral organism

• rganism, as

, as well well as as for for promoting promoting the the development development of

• f democratic

democratic elections elections throughought throughought the the hemisphere hemisphere. .

¿ ¿What What do do we we do? do?

• Electoral

Electoral Observation Observation

• Technical

Technical Electoral Electoral Cooperation Cooperation

• Training

Training and and Capacity Capacity Building Building

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Effects of Electoral Observation Missions Effects of Electoral Observation Missions

1. Fraud reduction: randomized statistical study in Armenia 2003 demonstrated that fraud was reduced by 6% in polling stations visited by observers. 2. Facilitation of dialogue between stakeholders in the electoral process. 3. Improved electoral processes: Significant increase in technical- electoral cooperation: from 1 project in 2007 to an average of 8 in 2009 and 2010.

As part of a process of systematizing and standardizing tools and methodologies for its Electoral Observation Missions (OAS/EOMS), OAS/DECO has developed a series of methodologies to help the organization improve its election observation tools.

• Manual for OAS Electoral Observation Missions (2009)
• Methods for Election Observation: A Manual for OAS Electoral Observation

Missions (2007)

• Methodology for Observing the Use of Electoral Technologies
• OAS Methodology for Media Monitoring during Electoral Observation Missions

(in process)

• Methodology for Integrating a Gender Perspective into OAS Electoral Observation

Missions (EOMs): A Manual for OAS/EOMs (in process)

• Methodology for the Observation of Political Financing Models in Elections

Guidelines for Election Observation: Standardizing methods and tools in OAS/EOMs, 2006-Present

Methods for Election Observation: Manual for OAS Electoral Observation Missions

Objective: defines the Concept of Democratic Elections (inclusive, competitive, clean and periodic) based on three basic Inter-American juridical instruments and compiles the instruments needed to carry out the work (indicators, standardized questionnaires) Users: produced for all OAS/EOMs international observers.

OAS Manual for Electoral Observation Missions

Objective: rigorously defines the objectives of an OAS/EOM, spells out what is being

• bserved and how, and provides detailed

procedures for organizing and implementing a mission. Users: specifically geared toward all those

• bservers who participate annually in OAS

Electoral Observation Missions-

Objective: to identify the aspects that should generally be considered in the observation of elections using electoral technologies in the three stages of an electoral process:

• Pre-electoral stage
• Election Day
• Post-electoral stage

Users: for long-term and short-term

• bservers, the Core Group of an

OAS/EOM, particularly the Information Systems Specialist.

Observing the use of Technologies during OAS/EOMs

Objective: assess the conditions of equity in the media, observing, for example, access to media

• utlets/coverage of political actors

during an electoral process, and make recommendations on how best to promote relative conditions of electoral equity. Users: Media Observation two- person international team and the group of local analysts.

The Role of the Media during Elections: Media Observation during OAS/EOMs

Integrating a Gender Perspective into OAS Electoral Observation Missions

Objectives: Systematically analyze the participation of women and men in the electoral process; as voters; as candidates and within the electoral bodies. Identify and disclose the obstacles that prevent women from exercising full political citizenship Make recommendations to assist Member States in overcoming this democratic deficit. Users: all members of OAS/EOMs, and specially the two-member team of Gender Specialists (female/male).

Observing Political-Electoral Systems in Elections: A Manual for OAS Electoral Observation Missions

Objective: to assess political financing models within the context

• f OAS Electoral Observation

Missions to identify conditions of electoral equity. Users: members of OAS/EOMs, the two-member team of Political Financing Specialists, and the Chief

• f Mission.

Electoral Observation Missions Electoral Observation Missions Remaining in 2011 Remaining in 2011

October 9: Paraguay Constitutional Referendum October 16: Bolivia Judiciary Branch Elections October 30: Colombia Local Elections November 6: Guatemala Second Round Presidential Elections November 6: Nicaragua Presidential Elections November – December: Guyana Presidential Elections

Electoral Observation Mission Funding Electoral Observation Mission Funding Challenges Challenges

Challenges with current funding systems: Late invitations complicate extended deployment and preliminary visits Reporting to various donors is inconsistent and inefficient Cash flow is uneven across multiple missions Current electoral observation funding is subject to diverse conditions

Electoral Observation Mission Fund Electoral Observation Mission Fund

Pooled funding for OAS distribution of funds across EOMs would provide for: Standardized statutes for contributions Increased visibility of the fund and donors in all EOMs Quarterly financial reports on the fund Annual narrative reports on all EOMs Fund interests reinvested The fund is audited as part of the overall GS/OAS Annual External Audit of Accounts

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Thank you!