- WE NEED A CODE OF CONDUCT FOR INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS -

The participation of International Observers in Elections and Referrendums is important and essential for credibility within a global political arena.

However, it would be naive to belive that independent observers are 100% impartial and that they can be trusted to do their job professionally, competently and truthfully. Thus it is imperative to define, well in advance, the internationally acceptable methods and framework within which International observers will play their role.

First we need an umbrella organization for international observers: "Global Organization for Promotion of Democracy (GOPD)". Such an organization would be have representatives from global political organizations such as AU, EU, UN, BRIC etc. The organization would be the sole source of credible, unbiased information on the state of democratization at global and national levels.

Second the organization must define "international standards" for elections and referenda - with consensus from member states. The standards must be specific, measurable, achievable and realistic. They must be published so that everyone is aware of their country's obligations in meeting such standards - especially Election organizers. The organization can publish guidelines to help election bodies to prepare for elections in a manner that increases the likelihood conformance with the international standards. Such guidelines would need to take into account unique factors faced by each region and even each country. Thus the role would be of mentorship (proactive) instead of "watchdog" (reactive).

Third: Having set the ideal target, the next thing would be to have Benchmarking data to give an objective assessment of the democratization of world nations.

In order to factor in culture and relative conditions, there also needs to be sub-benchmarks e.g. regional benchmarking, continental benchmarking, GDP/Poverty linked benchmarking and overall global benchmarking. The observers report would then give a weighted score in each of the areas before arriving at an overall comparative assessment.

Benchmarking data is critical to validate such ideal standards against reality and to help set realistic expectations. Comparing elections against benchmark data in a transparent manner will greatly contribute to reduction of political suspicion and related violence / intimidation / instability during elections.

Fourthly, we need to have a clear Communication Protocol for election/referendum observers - to avoid triggering or fueling chaos. All communication must be grounded on verifiable FACTS.

Even then, communications from obervers should be well timed and cognizant of political temperatures and circumstances on the ground so that their communication is delivered in a responsible manner.

Hence the needs for an umbrella body that acts as a single credible source of information representing consensus from global international obervers . Sensational "rooftop announcements" should be frowned upon as a sign of incompetence / irresponsibility.

I believe that ill-timed utterances by irresponsible or incompetent election observers have been at least partially responsible for many unnecessary deaths and large-scale suffering resulting from massive human displacement. It is rare to see long-term stability emerging from mass action / violent / unconstitutional takeovers - hence such should be discouraged - even if it means giving a temporary air of legitimacy to an illegitimate regime. The point can in many instances be made using non-violent ways.

If human beings are truly evolving into better beings, then we need to see BRAIN WORK taking more prominence in global politics instead of glorified savagery.

Finally we need to have internationally agreed measures in place to reduce the possibility of deliberate ill motives from external observers. The fact is, international observers represent other goverments. These goverments may be our economic/political competitors or enemies (or just global power brokers) and may not have our best interests at heart.

History has shown that the words "...did not meet international standards.." have become a modern political weapon used by influential nations that find it beneficial (economically/politically) to stir up instability and/or create a smokescreen to help effect a regime change by any means necessary.

Case in point: have you noticed that whenever EU gets involved as observers in a non-western country, failure or chaos is almost guaranteed? Look at the history... not to mention that European countries are well known for imperialist / global-domination mindsets.... At some point, disturbing patterns such as these will need to be evaluated for possible causative factors... Many wars in Africa have been western proxy wars... As Africans, we need to always ask ouselves: what is the bigger picture behind all these events?

Each international observer must individually sign a personal declaration agreeing to work competently within the international code of conduct for observers, and within the frameweork and protocol of the international umbrella body (GOPD).

Copyright 2010. Opinion...