GUIDELINES FOR LOCAL MONITORS AND INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS

PART A

1. Definitions

In these guidelines unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) “Local Observation” means the observation of the various stages of the electoral process by local organizations duly recognized for that purpose.
(b) “International Observation” means the observation of the various stages of the electoral process by International Organizations and Foreign Governments.

2. Duration

(a) Local and international observation shall begin with the registration of voters and shall end after the announcement of the results.
(b) These guidelines shall apply to Local and International Observers who have been accredited by the National Electoral Commission only.

PART B

1. Categories

(a) Local Observers may fall into three categories, that is to say:

(i) Monitoring Organisations created for that purpose.
(ii) Civic Organisations like local NGOs and others.
(iii) Religious Organisations.

(b) International Observers may fall into three categories, that is to say:

(i) From the UNO the OAU, the Commonwealth Secretariat and other recognized international organizations and their agencies;
(ii) International NGOs constituted and operating in any foreign country, and
(iii) From foreign governments whether with diplomatic missions in Tanzania or not.

2. Accreditation

(a) Formal invitations to local and international observers are to be made by the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania.
(b) The sponsoring organizations and governments shall notify the National Electoral Commission of their plans and details to send local and international observer team.
(c) For a person to be recognized as a local or an international observer, that person must have been designated by the relevant organization or foreign government in writing, addressed to the National Electoral Commission, disclosing his/her particulars and credentials.
(d) Each Local or International Observer will be required to present his/her official credentials to the National Electoral Commission before commencing his/her assignment.
(e) In addition to credentials from the sending organization or government, each Local or International Observer shall be issued by the National Electoral Commission with an accrediting document together with a common and easily identifiable badge or label to be worn by the Local Monitor International Observer visibly at all times while the local monitor or the International observer is exercising the functions of a local monitor or an international observer, as the case may be.

3. Requirements

(a) It would be useful for every Local or International Observer:
(i) To have experience, credibility, reputation for impartiality, independence of mind and objectivity;
(ii) To be able to speak Kiswahili or English fluently;
(iii) To be able to understand the Tanzania electoral laws;
(iv) To have some knowledge and understanding of international standards of determining the freeness and fairness of an electoral process;
(v) To have some knowledge of the history, geography, culture and current political situation of Tanzania; and
(vi) To respect and abide by the laws of Tanzania.

(b) A Local or an International Observer is disqualified from observation if he/she campaigns or displays favouritism for an election candidate or his/her political party.

4. Background Materials and Briefings

The National Electoral Commission will provide Local and International Observers with background materials on various aspect of the country. These will include:

(a) Information pertaining to the history and geography of Tanzania and the current political development;
(b) Information on the electoral process including the relevant laws;
(c) A list of polling centers for the electoral area to be covered by the local monitor or the international observer;
(d) A list of Political Parties; and
(e) The names of the Presidential Candidates and their respective Political Parties.

5. Scope of Observation

The scope of local and international observation shall consist of observing the following:
(a) To assess and evaluate the impartiality of the National Electoral Commission;
(b) To assess and evaluate the impartiality and legality of the decisions taken by the National electoral Commission in respect of electoral disputes;
(c) The registration of voters;
(d) The course of the election campaigns;
(e) The access to and the use of the media by candidates;
(f) The voting process; and
(g) The determination of the elections results.

6. Rights of Local and International Observers

(a) To request for and obtain reasonable information on any aspect of Civic Education programmes, the candidates campaign programmes, activities relating to registration of voters, nominations and polling;
(b) To be present at the polling stations;
(c) To inspect ballot boxes and polling booth before the beginning of the casting of votes;
(d) To have freedom of movement throughout the country except Military Installations and other restricted areas; and
(e) To communicate freely with any political party.

7. Obligations

Local and international observers shall be obliged:
(a) To respect and abide by the laws of Tanzania;
(b) To exercise their role with impartiality, independence and objectivity;
(c) To refrain from interfering or intermingling with the duties of the elections officials; and
(d) To cooperate with elections officials.

8. Special Directions to International Observers

International observers will be required:
(a) To have a valid visa;
(b) To comply with health instructions:
(c) To pay due regard to health tips provided by the National Electoral Commission; and
(d) To follow security precautions which will also be provided by the National Electoral Commission.

9. Mode of Reporting

(a) A local and an international observer shall report any irregularity noted in the electoral process to the National Electoral Commission or to a competent officer of the National Electoral Commission who will examine the activities reported as irregular and take corrective measures where necessary.
(b) The organisation of a local observer or an international observer shall provide copies of their reports to the National Electoral Commission.

10. Commencement and Expiration of the Guidelines

(a) These guidelines shall come into operation, with respect to an organization, when that organization has accepted the invitation given to it, and shall expire when that organization has submitted its report.