Monitoring is a necessary part of the election process, given the great importance of conducting free, fair and transparent elections based on the principles of democracy.

Afghanistan’s unique socio-political and economic structures increase the importance of election monitoring, so it is mandatory for Afghanistan’s Election Commission to focus on election monitoring.

Efficient and effective monitoring can, on the one hand, increase the transparency of the actions of electoral bodies, candidates, the government, parliament, the judiciary branch, civil society forums and the United Nations. On the other hand, monitoring can help to regain the confidence in the electoral process that voters lost after last year’s badly flawed presidential elections.

The presence of monitors and observers in the election process can also help to prevent illegal acts such as fraud and other violations. This can help mitigate the distrust of candidates and the voting public in the election process.

Election monitoring undoubtedly plays a significant role in the implementation of Afghanistan’s Constitution. Only by precise and serious monitoring we can safeguard the freedom, fairness, universality and secrecy of elections.

Also, election monitoring is very important for revealing the possible misuse of state property.

Experience has shown that lack of monitoring in elections can extend and complicate the election process. It can increase expenses and decrease the level of people’s trust in election process.

That is why monitoring and observation can serve as a gauge of the accuracy or inaccuracy of the election process; taking this opportunity, donors and international sources can provide more support for and cooperate with election process. This is what Afghanistan is really in need of. 

Who can monitor?

National Observers: Citizens of the country and members of governmental and non-governmental entities or other groups that will be affected by the election process can serve as monitors but they should not support interests of a particular side or candidate.

International Monitors and Observers: Generally such types of monitors and observers are assigned by the UN or other relevant international organizations to observe the election process.   

Monitoring and Observation Skills
Monitors and Observers should possess communication skills, decision-making capacity, discussion skills and good judgment. They should be hard-working, patient and aware of financial issues and the election process; they should know how to use monitoring tools.

Professional Skills
Monitoring/observation, particularly long term monitoring/observation, (from the beginning of the election process to the declaration of results) may encounter some technical complexities. So it is for the monitors and observers to have advanced and professional skills.

Levels of Monitoring and Observation

Short Term Observation: Observes polling day and the counting process.

Long Term Observation: This type of observation monitors the entire election process.
It is necessary for the observers and monitors to carry out their responsibilities in a transparent manner.

Duties and Responsibilities of Monitors and Observers

Observe election process and report to the relevant authorities and entities. The entities to which the observers belong then release their reports.

Make comments on the transparency and fairness of the election process and adopt decisions on whether to confirm or reject the legitimacy of the election process.

Monitoring and Observation and Ethical Principles

National and international observers and monitors should be impartial and conduct their duties transparently.

They should act based on facts and obey the principles of impartiality and honesty.

They should focus on the transparency of the process and avoid doing things which could cause violations and fraud in election and disturb the process.

They should avoid interfering in the election process and they must not present incorrect information.