Pan-African Parliament Strengthens Capacity for Credible Election Observation Across Africa

Members of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) have undergone an intensive capacity-building programme aimed at strengthening their competence in election observation, benchmarking, and assessment of democratic processes across the continent.

The Election Observation Training, jointly organized by the African Union Commission’s Democracy and Elections Unit and the Pan-African Parliament Secretariat, equipped participants with a deeper understanding of international standards, continental instruments, and methodological tools that underpin credible elections in Africa.

Grounding Election Observation in Law and Principles

Facilitators opened the session by underscoring that credible election observation begins with a sound legal framework. Participants critically examined whether national electoral laws in AU Member States align with the democratic principles enshrined in the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG), the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). “The existence of laws is not enough,” a facilitator explained. “What matters is whether those laws comply with the democratic benchmarks established by the African Union and the wider international community.”

Members were taken through the entire electoral cycle: from pre-election preparations, through polling day, to post-election dispute resolution and tasked to evaluate whether each phase adheres to standards of transparency, fairness, and inclusivity.

Assessing Institutions and Stakeholders

The training also covered the institutional dimensions of electoral credibility, emphasizing that observers must examine not only the preparedness of election management bodies but also their independence and gender balance. Discussions extended to the judiciary, civil society organizations, political parties, and security agencies, whose roles collectively determine the quality of the electoral environment.

“If appointments to the electoral commission are controlled by incumbents, or if the judiciary lacks independence, then credibility is already compromised,” participants were told.

Understanding Benchmarks and Best Practices

The second phase of the training focused on benchmarks, norms, and standards - the key reference points for evaluating elections. Participants explored how international and regional instruments provide common frameworks for assessment, including:

·       The African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (2007)

·       The AU Declaration on the Principles Governing Democratic Elections in Africa (2002)

·       The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 21)

·       The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Article 25)

·       The SADC Principles and Guidelines on Democratic Elections

Facilitators described benchmarks as “the compass of objectivity” in election observation. They ensure that missions apply uniform criteria across different countries, avoiding double standards or political bias. Through benchmarking, observers align national practices with continental commitments, encourage peer review among AU member states, and build public trust in democratic institutions.

Professionalism and Impartiality

Participants were reminded that observers are not judges but fact-finders. Their duty is to collect accurate, verifiable information and report findings impartially.
“All observations must be evidence-based,” facilitators reiterated. “Our role is not to declare winners or losers but to measure performance against agreed standards.”

The session also reviewed the AU Election Observation Methodology, highlighting the steps for data collection, verification, and drafting of final statements. The methodology guarantees that AU and PAP missions remain independent, diverse, and representative of Africa’s plural voices.

Experience Sharing and Field Realities

Members shared personal experiences from observation missions in Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, and other states.

Hon. Rahab Mukami from Kenya noted that “observation is not always easy: contexts can be politically charged and unpredictable. Observers must be prepared for every eventuality.”
Her reflection underscored the emotional and political pressures that often accompany election observation in volatile environments.

A lively exchange followed on whether the African Union should treat rigged elections with the same firmness as coups d’état, with participants urging the AU to develop mechanisms for addressing repeated violations of democratic standards.

Responding on behalf of the AU, Mr Tawanda, from the Democracy and Elections Unit, affirmed that AU Election Observation Missions (AUEOMs) follow a rigorous and inclusive process, bringing together parliamentarians, diplomats, and civil society experts. “Our methodology is one of the most comprehensive in the world,” he said. “But we must do more to popularize it so every stakeholder understands what AU observation entails and what it does not.”

Reinforcing PAP’s Role in Africa’s Democratic Architecture

The training reaffirmed that the Pan-African Parliament’s participation in election observation is not symbolic but strategic: an instrument to promote transparency, accountability, and democratic resilience. By equipping MPs with the knowledge of benchmarks and legal frameworks, PAP enhances its credibility as a continental legislative body that not only advocates for democracy but also actively measures its quality on the ground.

Conclusion

As Africa continues to face complex electoral challenges, the Pan-African Parliament’s investment in professional observer training marks an important step toward standardizing election observation and safeguarding democratic norms. In the words of one facilitator, “Our mission is not only to observe elections but to strengthen democracy itself, one observation at a time.”