EX.CL/91 (V) Annex II Page 5 2.3 The African continent has made significant progress in institutionalising electoral democracy over the course of the past decade. This is reflected in a number of successful multiparty elections in most member states. Notwithstanding these achievements, however, major challenges remain. These include the prevalence of conflict in some countries of the continent, and violence and instability resulting from disputed elections. The major challenge is the need to improve the integrity of electoral processes. One way of improving the integrity of electoral processes is by involving local and international observers and monitors. 2.4 The following guidelines are proposed in the spirit of strengthening the democratisation and governance processes underway in Africa with a view to guiding the involvement of the AU in the observation and monitoring of elections in Member States. 2.5 The following guidelines are proposed to cover all the three stages of the electoral process, namely: the pre-election, the election and the post-election phases. 3. BACKGROUND 3.1 In the OAU Declaration on the Principles Governing Democratic Elections in Africa (2002), Heads of State and Government requested the AU to be fully engaged in the strengthening of the democratisation process, particularly by observing and monitoring elections in Member States, according to strict guidelines. 3.2 Conscious of the democratic strides taken by the African Union (AU) in endorsing the Declaration on the Principles Governing Democratic Elections in Africa and The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD 2001), member states recognised that transparent and credible elections play a crucial role in ensuring the fundamental and universal right to democratic and participatory government. 3.3 At the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the OAU in July 2002, African Heads of State and Government considered the Report of the Secretary General on strengthening the role of the OAU in election observation and monitoring and the advancement of the democratization process.