EX.CL/91 (V) Annex II Page 4 xi. xii. xiii. 2. abusive language, incitement to hate, and other forms of provocative language that may lead to violence. Every candidate and political party shall respect the impartiality of the public media by undertaking to refrain from any act which might constrain or limit their electoral adversaries from using the facilities and resources of the public media to air their campaign messages. Every individual and political party participating in elections shall recognize the authority of the Electoral Commission or any statutory body empowered to oversee the electoral process and accordingly render full cooperation to such a Commission/Body in order to facilitate their duties. Every citizen and political party shall accept the results of elections proclaimed to have been free and fair by the competent national bodies as provided for in the Constitution and the electoral laws and accordingly respect the final decision of the competent Electoral Authorities or, challenge the result appropriately according to the law. INTRODUCTION 2.1 Definitions 2.1.1. Observation: involves gathering information and making an informed judgement; 2.1.2 Monitoring: involves the authority to observe an election process and to intervene in that process if relevant laws or standard procedures are being violated or ignored; 2.1.3 Election Assessment: involves on-spot, preliminary evaluation of the conditions within which elections will take place. 2.2 Electoral observation and monitoring have become an integral part of the democratic and electoral processes in Africa. International, regional and national observers have come to play important roles in enhancing the transparency and credibility of elections and democratic governance in Africa and the acceptance of election results throughout the continent. Electoral observation and monitoring missions can also play key roles in diminishing conflicts before, during and after elections.