EX.CL/91 (V)
Annex II
Page 10
technical team or supervisory team could be considered to work with
the Election Commission. Second, if the unsatisfactory conditions
deteriorate, and the host country is not prepared to accept outside
assistance, the AU could consider not sending a mission at all, and
this could include referring the matter further within the organs of the
Union.
4.12 The AU assessment team will not only assess the conditions prevailing
in a particular country at a particular time, but also the direction in
which events are developing: different responses may be appropriate to
different situations.
4.13 There should be prior understanding between the AU and the country
organising elections that the AU reserves the right not to send or to
withdraw observers in certain circumstances when conditions in the
country do not meet the AU guiding principles for organising free and
fair elections.
4.14 Regional Economic Communities (RECs) should be involved actively in
elections observation and monitoring. In this way, the RECs should
thus compliment continental electoral assistance efforts of the African
Union and ensure mutual sharing of experience and resources.
5.
MANDATES,
RIGHTS
AND
RESPONSIBILITIES
OBSERVATION AND MONITORING MISSIONS
5.1
After deciding that the necessary conditions exist for genuine elections
to take place and that all stakeholders welcome the AU, the Electoral
Assessment Team must recommend the size, duration and mandate of
the mission to be deployed.
5.2
Although the mandate of the electoral missions recommended may
vary, the rights accorded observers and monitors should remain the
same. Regional Economic Communities should compliment the AU in
its monitoring and observation roles. The rights enjoyed by observers
and monitors alike are listed below.
OF
AU
5.2.1 Freedom of movement within the host country;
5.2.2 Accreditation as election observers or monitors on a nondiscriminatory basis;
5.2.3 Communicate freely with all competing political parties,
candidates, other political associations and organizations, and
civil society organizations;