EX.CL/91 (V) Annex II Page 7 3.11 Also, the Cairo Agenda for Action adopted in Cairo, Egypt, in 1995, stress the imperative of ensuring democratic governance through popular participation based on the respect for human rights and dignity, free and fair elections, as well as on the respect of the principles of freedom of the press, speech, association and conscience. 3.12 Member States have the sovereign right to choose their political system in accordance with the will of the people and in conformity with the Constitutive Act of the African Union and the universally accepted principles of democracy. 3.13 And Member States and national electoral commissions should support the ever-growing role already played by the AU in the observation/monitoring of elections and the need to strengthen the Organisation’s efforts in advancing democracy in Africa. 3.14 In paragraph VI (d) of the OAU Declaration on the Principles Governing Democratic Elections in Africa (2002), Member States directed the Commission to undertake a feasibility study on the establishment, within the Commission, of the Electoral Assistance Unit to help the Commission implement this Declaration. 4. CRITERIA FOR DETERMINING THE NATURE AND SCOPE OF AU ELECTORAL OBSERVATION AND MONITORING 4.1 In performing their obligations, the election observers or monitors shall be guided by detailed guidelines prepared by the Commission drawing inspiration from the essential thrust of the OAU Declaration of Principles Governing Democratic Elections (“the Principles”). The specific mandates and terms of reference shall be determined by the particular case in question as well as the wider legal framework of the country staging elections. 4.2 In preparing for its election observation and monitoring roles, the Commission must maintain an up-to-date calendar of all future elections on the continent. 4.3 Formal invitation to the AU, in terms of paragraphs V (1) and V (3) of the OAU Declaration on the Principles Governing Democratic Elections in Africa (2002), is to be made by the country organising the elections, either through the National Electoral Commission (NEC), or electoral authority, or the said government, in accordance with the democratic legal framework of the country, as necessary elements for mounting observations.