Thank you for accepting the invitation to take part in the ESN-SA Citizen Election Observation
Academy. Your participation in the electoral process is crucial in ensuring that every citizen is
able to exercise fully his or her right to vote as enshrined in Article 21 of the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights as well as Article 13 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

The presence of citizen observers gives voters the confidence to go to the polls and participate in
elections. Serving as a citizen observer you will be the eyes and ears for ALL citizens in our respective
countries on Election Day. Individual voters only see one polling station but, based on reports from
observers across the country, as domestic observers you will provide a national picture of the election.

The information your observers will provide to your respective organisations will be used to issue
independent non-partisan evidence-based reports that will inform citizens, the Electoral Management
Body (EMB) , and political parties among other stakeholders on the conduct of the electoral process
and the degree to which it complies with domestic Electoral Laws, other Normative Frameworks in
particular the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Principles and Guidelines
Governing Democratic Elections and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance
(ACDEG).

The ESN-SA Secretariat and Board hopes that our elections in SADC are peaceful and provide a
genuine opportunity for citizens to vote.

Thank you in advance for your hard work as domestic observer organisations and commitment to
democracy in Southern Africa.
May God Bless our Region and Continent!

Download ESN-SA GENERAL OBSERVERS TRAINING MANUAL