A recent discussion in the ACE Practitioners’ Network (PN) revolved around the role of NGOs during elections. PN members were generally divided on the question of NGOs conducting both voter education and domestic election observation activities. Several PN members discussed the possible conflict of interest arising when NGOs are part of the electoral process and act as observers of the same election while others argued that for practical or other reasons it was in the best interest of the elections that the dual role is allowed.

So, should the same NGO be allowed to do voter education AND electoral observation? Opinions expressed include:

No – There is a serious conflict of interest (real and/or perceived) that cannot be mitigated. As with international observation, anybody involved in voter education activities (or other part of the electoral process) cannot observe the same in an objective, useful and credible manner.

It depends – This should be allowed only with an adequate legal framework which establishes a process by which NGOs can become meaningful partners with the EMB during the whole electoral cycle – e.g. by requiring that NGOs use training materials developed by the EMB. Also, in the interest of impartiality it is important that these NGOs do not receive national funding for their activities.

Yes – There is no conflict of interest between the two. Many NGOs are well positioned to carry out both voter education and electoral observation activities – and the two can even be mutually beneficiary. Voter education activities carried out by the NGO builds knowledge of the election process, and therefore builds NGO capacity to observe domestic elections more effectively.

Read the full discussion here: Voter education and domestic election observation implemented by the same NGO