Elections Observation Training Narrative Report, Abidjan, Cote D'Ivoire (Nov, 2009)

1

ELECTIONS OBSERVATION AND EARLY WARNING EVALUATION

TRAINING REPORT

RESIDENCE KORIET, Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire

9-11 November, 2009

2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Objectives

1.2 Opening Remarks

1.3 Expected Outcomes

1.4 Methodology

2.0 Training content

3.0 Conclusion and Way Forward

Programme Agenda

List of Participants

3

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The West Africa Civil Society Institute in collaboration with the Convention de la Société Civile

Ivoirienne (CSCI) supported by the Open Society Initiative for West Africa( OSIWA) organised a

specialised training workshop on “Election observation and Early warning” for civil society

actors in Cote d’Ivoire. The overall objective of the workshop was to strengthen the

capacity of civil society actors to contribute to pre and post election management

processes in order to ensure free, transparent and credible elections in Cote d’Ivoire

1.1 Objectives

The specific objectives of the workshop were:

To strengthen the capacity of civil society actors to contribute to pre and post

election management processes;

To provide actors with practical skills on how to observe elections effectively;

To expose participants to different early warning systems and give them practical

suggestions on how to establish an early warning system at community and national

levels; and

To proffer knowledge on key early warning reporting formats.

1.2 Opening Remarks (MR. Charles K. Vandyck, Programme officer, WACSI)

The programme officer said that Cote D’ivoire is a post conflict country and trying to

settle peace through the forthcoming elections. WACSI as a resource center for civil

society organizations in West Africa has designed a course on Election Observation and

Early warning for civilian actors in Cote d’Ivoire. The objective of WACSI coming here is

to strengthen the capacity of civil society actors to contribute to pre and post election

management processes .This has been possible thanks To the support of OSIWA and the

collaboration with la Convention de la Société Civile Ivoirienne (CSCI).Charles Vandyck

also mentioned that WACSI and the convention will take this opportunity to reinforce

their partnership for future programmes in Cote d’Ivoire.

4

1.3 Expected Outcomes

Enhanced capacity of civil society actors to contribute to pre and post election management processes;

Improved capacity to observe elections effectively; Increased knowledge of the importance of early warning systems; and Enhanced expertise on early warning reporting formats. 1.4 Methodology The training workshop was delivered using interactive, learner-centered methods, audio visual tools, experiential learning, and practical exercises. Participants were encouraged to use real life experiences to address fundraising and proposal writing challenges.

1.5 Target Audience

Executive directors, programme directors and programme officers of CSOs that work on

elections and early warning issues

2.0 TRAINING CONTENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TOPIC

Introduction

Overview of Sessions

Session 1: What is Election Observation?

Session 2: Mandate for Election Observation in West Africa

Session 3: Election Observation as Conflict Prevention Mechanism

Session 4: Guidelines for Ethical and Professional Election Observation

Session 5: What to observe and how to observe?

Session 6: Reporting the Observation

Session7 : Election Observation in West Africa- the ECOWAS and WACSOF Experiences

Session 8: What is an EWS?

Session 9 : Indicators of an EWS

Session 10 : Different Types of Early Warning Reports

5

Session 11 : Information Gathering

Session 12: Engendering Early Warning

Session 13: Designing an EWS

Session: 14: Response Mechanism

Session: 15: The Role of CSOs in Early Warning and Response

GROUP EXERCISE 1: What is Election Observation?

The overall objectives of this exercise were to endow the participants with the basic concepts of Elections observation. For the resource person, it is necessary t have a better understanding of Election observation if you want t be an expert in this area. The resource person said that the subject enables sharing of experiences. Feedback from Trainees

The majority of the participants said that this exercice is good for it enlightened their knowledge in election observation. However they have minimum knowledge of election with their organisation, they got additionnal knowledge of the concepts. Types of Election Observation

Long term Observation

Long-term election observation allows observation groups to effectively familiarize themselves with the electoral system being adopted for the elections, and the political and legal environment in which the elections will take place. As a result, long-term observers are likely to provide well-informed opinions on the outcome of an electoral process, and to make more comprehensive recommendations on relevant aspects of the process that need review It involves assessing the entire election process and spans the pre-election, election day and post-election phases. Ideally, therefore, long-term observation covers the following:

the setting up of electoral management bodies; boundary delimitation; voter registration; voter education;

6

political party registration; candidate nomination; campaigning; media coverage/reportage; voting; vote-counting; installation of the elected bodies; Election dispute resolution.

Short-term Observation

This involves assessing only some phases or aspects of the electoral process including voting day and the vote-counting process. In essence, the duration is not longer than a week and usually starts during the final campaign period or a few days before the polling. It often ends after the release of the post-election statement. The decision on which method to choose usually depends on three factors including:

The objectives of the election observation mission; The human and non-human resources available; The political environment and legal context.

Membership In terms of membership, there are three types:

International Domestic Mixed

International This involves mostly external, multilateral or international intergovernmental organisations either invited by the country holding the elections or accredited by the appropriate body to observe the elections. Domestic This involves mostly national organisations with a stake in the elections or interested in ensuring a credible outcome from the electoral process. Domestic observation missions may therefore include:

Partisan groups (e.g. political parties); and

7

Mandate for Election Observation in West Africa The mandate for election observation in West Africa is basically derived from the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance (2001). What the Protocol seeks to achieve through election observation is in conformity with other global, regional and sub-regional instruments on democracy and human rights, including

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights ( December 1948); The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights ( December 1966); The Harare Declaration adopted by the Commonwealth (December 1991); African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights ( June 1981); The Constitutive Act of the African Union (July 2000); ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance (December 2001);

Feedback from Trainees

The participants found this session very essential for it enlightened the concepts of election observation. It helped them to have a better understanding of the different types of Elections observation

Election Observation as Conflict Prevention Mechanism

Good electoral processes must be appropriate for the needs of a given society. Electoral system design is critically important in that electoral processes are not just about choosing representatives but also what is meant by “representation”. That is, a good electoral process will allow society to determine how its diverse interests will be reflected in representation. Ethnicity or religion may be a salient basis for representation, whereas in other situations issues such as the alleviation of poverty, gender equality, geographic representation or economic interests may be more important. “Representation” is generated in the election campaign. Candidates put forward their views of who in the electorate they represent and why, and voters are able to choose among them. Quality representation is key to constructive bargaining among a society’s diverse interests and communities.

Feedback from Trainees

The participants were happy with this session through their participation because it fits the situation in Cote d’Ivoire.

8

Guidelines for Ethical and Professional Election Observation Usually election will occur in a sovereign state with a recognized system of domestic authority. Observers are guests in the country, and any rights conferred on them are a privilege granted to them by the host country as an exercise of its sovereignty. As guests, observers must reflect a proper respect for the sovereignty of the host country, which should be understood as being distinct from a particular government of that country Feedback From The Group Work

The participants were pleased to learn of the different processes of fund raising

strategies. They recognised the weaknesses that prevented them from obtaining funding.

For example their primary objectives of sourcing for funds were not well specified. A

group of participants remarked that through this training, they have now come to realize

the reason why their proposals have often been rejected because their fundraising

strategies have been weak.

What to observe and how to observe

There are general principles guiding the conduct of democratic elections that are embedded in the various international and regional instruments that empower countries to hold elections. These same principles guide the conduct of election observation missions. The principles include the holding of periodic, genuine, free and fair elections which adhere to the principles of universal suffrage and equal suffrage, voting by secret ballot and the honest counting and reporting of polling results. These then become the parameters within which an observer operates. All countries have unique histories and circumstances, therefore it is important for the observers not to prosecute their mandate with a “one-size-fits-all” mentality. Election observation must take cognisance of the national context in order to make a fair assessment of the electoral process. It is for this reason that ECOWAS demands that apart from familiarising themselves with the aforementioned universal principles, election observers must acquaint themselves with the national laws governing the elections.

Feedback From trainee

9

The participants in their majority support that this session enables them to take into

consideration the laws f the countries before undertaking any election observation.

Reporting the Observation

The format for writing an observation report is not different from that of the election observation form. In fact, the election involves putting the observer’s findings in prose but this time with more details. The preliminary post-election statement should not be confused with the election report. The preliminary statement only indicates the mission’s general impressions of what occurred on Election Day. Although different organisations have adopted different formats for reporting, any good Election Observation must be guided by certain principles. This is the proposed format by the trainee

Background of the country

The background of the organisation commitment with the country in election The challenges Conclusion and recommandations

Feedback From trainees

The participants found this session very important because it is the outcomes of any

election observation process. For the trainees this will help in the future activities as

election observeurs.

Early Warning

The objective of this session is provide the participants with the basic knowledge about Early warning before they can be able to understand how they can practice to build peace in Cote d’Ivoire. As a definition, warning is about providing in advance critical information with regard to a probable danger or looming disaster in order to prevent or minimise the loss of lives and destruction of properties. It is also a systematic collection of data and interpretation of the data through an analytical process to produce a report for dissemination to key intervening actors both locally or internationally. .

GROUP EXERCISE 5: Identification of probable conflict zones of Cote d’Ivoire

After the definition of early warning the participants were asked to identify conflict and

peace zones in Cote d’Ivoire. According to the resource person this is the best way to

prevent upcoming conflicts in a country. This exercise has been profitable for the trainee

as it helped them to discover that there is still enough to do in terms of peace building in

their country.

10

Feedback from Trainees

The participants had no knowledge about the meaning of early warning as systematic

collection of data. Through this definition of early warning the participants said to be

ready to prevent conflicts in their different areas following the scientific method of early

warning system. After the group the trainees have been amazed by the procedure of

identification of conflict zone which is the firs step of the early warning system.

Indicators of early warning

This session shows the different types of indicators in early warning which can be presented in figures or words to gauge changes in political and economic conditions of a

country or group over time. The indicators can be social, political, environmental etc

GROUP EXERCISE 6: What are the early warning indicators in Cote d’Ivoire

The participants were asked to give the early warning indicators in the different regions of Cote d’Ivoire. The indicators should be based on the following areas: Social indicators Econonmic indicators Political indicators Cultural Feedback from Trainees

The trainee found this exercise very practical. They supported that this group work enabled them to have a bright view of the challenges in Cote d’Ivoire .For the participants the indicators found through the exercise reflect the true realities of their country. Some participants revealed the weakness of the Civil society in Cote d’Ivoire which has not been able to identify such indicators in their country. For most of the participants, this exercise strengthened their writing skills.

3.0 Different types of early warning reports There are two main types of reports and several other special reports. The two main

types are Incident Report and Situation Report. The Incident reports (IncRep) are

episodic reports on a given set of parameters triggered by the occurrence of phenomena,

typically associated with violence or some other impact of significance. As far as the

situation report is concerned it is systematic observation covering a particular situation

or Area of Reporting (AOR), over time to establish baseline activity levels. The

participants should be able to make a difference between the reports in order to be to do

reasonable and objective reports on the fields

GROUP EXERCISE 7: Write a report based on a story told during the training session bye

the resource person.

11

This exercise highlighted the participants weakness to write an early warning report.

This exercise is a starting point of early warning report. It helps to improve their

knowledge in early warning and early response system.

Feedback from Trainees

The participants found this group work very practical .It helps them to be more précised

and objectives in reporting on early warning: Therefore it

Gives the partipants the methodology of early warning report

Shows the different types of early warning reports.

Role of Civil Society Organisations in Early Warning and Early Response

CSOs act swiftly and flexibly to respond to conditions as needed, often using innovative and non-coercive strategies and quality processes to address problems and can act when, for various reasons, official actors are immobilised. The contribution of a CSO in a regional EWS, the current role of WANEP is presented. WANEP has been chosen by ECOWAS to implement the current sub-regional early warning process. Based on the following reasons.

WANEP has good experience in peace keeping and good vision of West African that meet the need of ECOOWAS

In the nine years since its creation, WANEP has emerged as the largest civil society peace building organization with strong community-based networks of over 400 member organisations in 12 countries in West Africa. In other words, WANEP has the potential of providing civil society monitors across West Africa;

In recent years, WANEP has gained experience in producing early warning and response reports. Furthermore, WANEP is currently a lead member in the international steering committee of the GPPAC process as West Africa convener.

The resource person gave a bright explanation of international actors and national actors. International CSO actors are generally key allies in the mitigation of conflict and promotion of peace and stability while regional actors are those focused on the African continent. In West Africa, there is the West Africa Civil Society Forum (WACSOF), the West Africa Action Network on Small Arms (WAANSA), WANEP, and WACSI.

Feedback from Trainees

The participants have shown their satisfaction of the contribution of WANEP in the

regional early warning work. So they have committed to settle organized CSO

committee in order to prevent conflicts in Cote d’Ivoire through the early warning

system

12

CONCLUSION AND RECCOMENDATIONS

The Executive Director of WACSI thanked the participants for participating in the

training and for hosting WACSI and OSIWA. At the end of the workshop certificates were

given to the trainees acknowledging their active participation in the training course. In

addition, the trainees were given a bilingual toolkit for utilisation as a reference

document and a training tool and Electronic version of the regional directory for civil

society organisation. The workshop was jointly facilitated by WACSI resource person

one election expert from ONUCI and Ghana Electoral Commission.

The following key recommendations emanated from the workshop:

The trainees have committed to replicate the trainings for the community organisations.

The participants have committed to set up a round table on early warning in Cote d’Ivoire. This will help to identify possible crisis area and report it to the decision makers through the monitors and the analysts

The participants have committed to influence Cote d’Ivoire Electoral policies based on Ghana experience by creating a coalition of domestic observers like CORDEO in Ghana

The participants have committed to organise a brainstorming to rewrite a final code of conduct for the all the actors involved the election processes in Cote d’Ivoire.

WACSI has committed to follow up the operation of the roundtable and the code of conduct.

13

AGENDA

Elections Observation and Early Warning Training Course

Abidjan- Cote D’Ivoire

9-11 November, 2009

Day 1

TIME ACTIVITIES PERSON RESPONSIBLE

8:00-8:30 Opening Ceremony

WACSI/CSI

8:30-9:00 Objectives of the training and Introduction of Participants

WACSI/CSI

9:30 -10:00 Coffee Break

WACSI

10:00-11:00 Understanding Elections Observation

Charles Nnoko MBIBI

11:00-12:00 Election Observation As Conflict Prevention Mechanism

Charles Nnoko MBIBI

12:00-12:30 Practical Exercise Charles Nnoko MBIBI

12:30 -1:30 Lunch

WACSI

1:30 -2:30

Guidelines For Ethical And Professional Election Observation

Charles Nnoko MBIBI

2:30 -3:30

What To Observe And How To Observe? Charles Nnoko MBIBI

3:30 -4:00

Coffee Break WACSI

14

4:00-5:00

Reporting The Observation Charles Nnoko MBIBI

Day 2

TIME

ACTIVITIES PERSON RESPONSIBLE

9:300-10:30

What is Early Warning? How to analyse indicators

WACSI

10:30-11

Coffee Break WACSI

11 : 00-12:00

What to monitor? WACSI

12:00 -1:00

How to respond? WACSI

1:00-2:00 Lunch

WACSI

2:00:-2:30 Practical Exercise

WACSI

2:30-3:30 Report writing

WACSI

3:30-4:00

Coffee Break WACSI

4:00-5:00 The Role Of CSOs In Early Warning And Early Response WACSI

15

Day 3

TIME

ACTIVITIES PERSON RESPONSIBLE

8:30-10:00

Civil society and Elections Observation Charles Nnoko MBIBI

10:00-10:30

Coffee Break WACSI

10:30-1:00 Elections Management in Africa: The Ghanaian Experience

Electoral Commission of Ghana

1:00-2:00

Lunch WACSI

2:00-3:00

Closing Ceremony WACSI/CSCI

16

LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

ELECTIONS OBSERVATION AND EARLY WARNING

TRAINING WORKSHOP FOR CIVIL ACTORS IN COTE

D’IVOIRE

Nbre Name Position Organisation Address 1. Capet Dagba Irene Coordonnatrice CSCI Caritas CI [email protected]

2. N’Dri Kouamé Blaise Coordonateur CSCI ASAPSU [email protected]

3. Négbélé Kouehi Joachim

UGTCI Coordonateur CSCI [email protected]

4. Traoré Drissa President MIDH MIDH [email protected]

5. Bosson Kouadio Jean Chargé de programme CSCI [email protected]

6. N’Kiranue Jean Emile Directeur IDBH CERAP [email protected]

7. M. NETH WILLY Alexandre

Secrétaire Général Ligue Ivoirienne des Droits de l’Homme (LIDHO)

[email protected]

8. Boyou Boniface President ASSELCI [email protected]

9. TRAORE Flavien Secrétaire Général Coordination Nationale des Enseignants du Supérieur et des Chercheurs (CNEC)

[email protected]

10. Combey Sophie 2eme coordonatrice CSCI

CSCI [email protected]

11. MadI Annick Présidente RIOF [email protected]

12. Kegban Y.Sidonie Chargée de programme WANEP-CI [email protected]

13. LOGBO Leaza Martine Présidente GIDSE [email protected]

14. Bassaro Dembelé Coordonateur CSCI COSIM [email protected]

15. Ouattara Diakalia Secretaire Général FNDP/CSCI [email protected]

16. Tehe Michel Directeur des Etudes ODAHROM [email protected]

17

17. Bamba Sindou Coordonateur RAIDH [email protected]

18. Koné Solange Présidente MMF [email protected]

19. Fofana Valerie Aline Chargée de programme WANEP-CI

WANEP-CI [email protected]

20. Wanyou Jerome Assistant Programme WANEP-CI [email protected]

21. Drissa Soulama SGA CLUB UA [email protected]

22. Mamadou Lamine Cordonateur General CNI [email protected]