Page 10 2. Such assistance may take any form. 3. Also, ECOWAS may dispatch a monitoring team to the country concerned for the purpose of monitoring the elections. 4. The decision in this respect shall be taken by the Executive Secretary. Article 13 1. As elections in a Member State approach, the Executive Secretary shall dispatch a fact-finding Mission to the Member State conducting an election. 2. This mission may be followed by an exploratory Mission aimed at: ‰ collecting all texts governing the elections concerned; ‰ gathering all information on the conditions under which the elections shall be conducted; ‰ collecting all pertinent information relating to the contesting candidates or political parties; ‰ meeting all candidates, political party leaders, government authorities and other competent bodies; ‰ assessing the status of preparations for the elections; ‰ gathering any other useful information that may provide a clear picture of the situation.