Adopted on 20 July 2015, Pretoria, Republic of South Africa 11 GUIDELINES FOR ELECTORAL OBSERVATION AND REPORTING 11.1 RATIONALE FOR ELECTORAL OBSERVATION The observation of elections assists in enhancing transparency, political credibility and acceptance of the election results. Electoral observation also provides an impartial and methodical assessment of electoral outcomes. These Guidelines for Electoral Observation and Reporting therefore provide a framework for the evaluation of the application, by Member States, of the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections. Accordingly, the Member States endorse the following: 11.2 ELEMENTS TO CONSIDER IN ELECTORAL OBSERVATION: 11.2.1 The SEOM, in its consultations with electoral stakeholders, shall seek to inquire into the broad key elements of the Electoral Cycle to observe whether the electoral process is being conducted in conformity with the “Principles for Conducting Democratic Elections”, which are stipulated in section four (4) of these SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections. 11.2.2 The SEOM shall employ, in its best practice, Long-Term Observation (LTO) and analyses that address all aspects of the Electoral Cycle as well as observe the broader political context that affects the character and quality of elections. Such considerations shall be informed, but not limited to, reports of Pre-election Goodwill Missions of the SEAC as well as the related reports on the political environment. Accordingly, the SEOM shall be committed to: 11.3 (a) Employing systematic electoral observation methodologies and techniques practicable in light of objective principles and national conditions, as well as the elements of the electoral process being observed; (b) Conducting impartial, fact-based analysis and develop findings and recommendations based on national legal requirements and applicable international and regional obligations, principles and commitments; (c) Being transparent concerning the benchmarks they use in their observation activities. PRE-ELECTION PERIOD: Accreditation is essential for the fulfilment of SEOMs mandate; therefore, the EMB, as one of the principal institutions to accredit domestic and foreign observers as well as party agents, shall ensure that accreditation is done in a timely manner to enable individual observers to conduct their assignment. 11.3.1 In this regard, SEOMs should establish whether the accreditation for party agents and observers by the responsible authority is done in a timely manner. - 14 -