The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Rethinking Election Monitoring

4,058
This publication is only available in electronic format
Published: 
1 December 2012
Language: 
English
Pages: 
19
Author(s): 
Judith Kelley

International election monitoring has become a prominent tool for promoting election integrity and democracy, but several factors raise questions about the validity and effectiveness of international election monitoring.

When organizations have to return to the same countries election after election, what are they accomplishing? When politicians continue to cheat in the presence of monitors, is the mission worthwhile? When more and more organizations join the practice without any uniform standards for assessing an election, and when different organizations sometimes disagree, how can outsiders know which organizations are reliable?

This discussion paper suggests some steps that regional organizations can take to streamline election monitoring and focus their efforts more effectively. Although it suggests some ideas for reforms, the goal is not necessarily for organization to adopt these particular suggestions, but for them to face the questions and discuss a variety of possible reforms.

Contents

A Few Facts About the Growth and Activities of Election Monitoring

Central Dilemmas and Questions

The Attention Dilemma

Recommendations

Closing Thoughts

References

Related Content

May
14
2023
Massimo Tommasoli, Director of Global Programmes and Permanent Observer for International IDEA to the United Nations

Massimo Tommasoli, Director of Global Programmes and Permanent Observer for International IDEA to the United Nations.

News Article
Mar
03
2023
three persons sitting at table displaying publications

Leena Rikkila Tamang, Regional Director together with Adhy Aman, Senior Programme Manager for Asia and the Pacific, shares the report with Hon. Lenora Qereqeretabua, Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Fiji. Image credit: Rajan Murti/International IDEA.

News Article