CODE OF CONDUCT FOR NON-PARTISAN CITIZEN ELECTION OBSERVERS AND MONITORS Introduction Non-partisan election observation and monitoring by citizen organizations is increasingly accepted around the world as a standard practice for supporting and safeguarding electoral integrity, promoting public confidence in democratic elections and mitigating potentials for election-related violence. Governments, including their election management bodies, those seeking to be elected and other electoral stakeholders have recognized that non-partisan election observation and monitoring by citizen organizations is an integral part of exercising the right of citizens to participate in government and public affairs, which is an internationally recognized human right. Non-partisan election observation and monitoring by citizen organizations is noted by intergovernmental organizations and various intergovernmental charters, declarations and other instruments as an important aspect of promoting genuine democratic elections. The purpose of non-partisan election observation and monitoring is to help ensure the integrity of the election process, by witnessing and reporting accurately and impartially on each aspect of the process to evaluate whether it is conducted in an open and transparent manner and in conformance with the national constitution, laws and electoral regulations, treaty obligations and other international commitments concerning democratic elections. Non-partisan election observation and monitoring by citizen organizations also seeks to ensure the integrity of the election process by calling on all electoral actors (including the candidates, political parties, those supporting or opposing referendum initiatives, election officials, other governmental authorities, mass media and voters) to respect the laws and election-related rights of all citizens and to hold accountable those who violate the law and any person’s election-related rights. In addition, non-partisan election observation and monitoring by citizen organizations seeks to mobilize citizens in the exercise of their right to participate in public affairs as non-partisan election observers and monitors and to promote citizen participation more broadly in elections and political processes. Along with the recognition of rights related to non-partisan election observation and monitoring by citizen organizations come responsibilities. These responsibilities may be outlined in a code of conduct to be adopted, along with a pledge of non-partisanship, by every observation and monitoring organization. Rights and responsibilities of observers 17