Elections monitoring process should commence long before elections day

Dec 01, 2019 Letters

Dear Editor,

The accreditation of overseas and local observers to the upcoming general and regional elections is most reassuring. The Carter Centre in particular has over the years played a pivotal role in the democratization process and expectations are high that it will continue to play that watchdog role in forthcoming elections. The same is also true of the Commonwealth Secretariat, the European Union, the Organization of American States and the Caricom Secretariat.
Elections must not only be free and fair but must also be seen to be free and fair. This is why the elections monitoring process should commence long before elections day and must take into account variables such as campaign financing, the role of the media, in particular the state media in the coverage of elections-related issues, the use of state resources for electioneering purposes among others.
One of the hallmarks of credible elections is the creation of a level playing field so that all parties, both small and large can be provided with an equal chance of succeeding at the polls.
We have had some bad experiences in the past where there were instances where the losing party refused to accept the results despite the fact that the elections were declared credible by observers, both local and foreign.
I think that all contesting parties should agree to a signed protocol that once the results of the elections are certified free and fair by the observer groups then it becomes obligatory on the ‘losing’ party or parties to accept the results in good faith.

I look forward to a free and fair elections and elections free from fair.

Hydar Ally

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