Domestic Observation Process

Preparations for the December 2007 general elections in Kenya are in top gear. A key component of the preparatory stage is the organization of effective domestic observation. Domestic observation is crucial in assessing the fairness, transparency and effectiveness of the general elections. Over the years, the work of domestic observation in Kenya has improved the democratization process by inter alia, enabling citizens to actively participate in elections, hold their leaders accountable and improve the electoral process in general.

Following consultation with concerned stakeholders, the United Nations Development Program’s Joint Donors Elections Assistance Program stepped in to facilitate discussions with interested stakeholders to explore approaches for effective domestic observation for the 2007 general elections. Over 30 civil society organizations and networks interested or working in domestic observations participated in the initial discussions before appointing representatives to a 13-member technical planning group. The organizations were representative of professional, religious, youth, women, disabled, marginalized groups and organizations working in the area of governance, elections and domestic observations.

The partnership of thirteen organizations have come together to form a common national platform named “Kenya Elections Domestic Observation Forum” (KEDOF). KEDOF has a common Vision to ensure Credible, peaceful, free and fair elections and a Mission to observe and determine the credibility, peacefulness, freeness and fairness of the 2007 Kenya electoral processes and general elections. The partners have committed themselves by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishing the KEDOF. It is guided by the following principles:

• Common national platform for observation-KEDOF
• Credible peaceful free and fair elections
• Respect and Mutual trust
• Equality, Impartiality and Non-partisanship
• Credibility and Integrity
• Respect for Democracy and Human Rights
• Accountability and Transparency

Its objectives are:

• To ensure the freeness and fairness of elections and electoral bodies.
• To ensure ownership & domestication of the process and build citizens confidence.
• To enhance capacities of local institutions in elections and governance issues.
• To deter malpractices and irregularities in the pre-election and election day
• To lay an improved foundation for post election period

The following organizations are the members of the technical planning committee:

• Consortium for Empowerment and Development of Marginalized Communities (CEDMAC)
• Constitution and Reform Education Consortium (CRECO)
• Disability Consortium for Empowerment and Development (DICED)
• Ecumenical Centre for Justice and Peace (ECJP)
• Hindu Council of Kenya (HCK)
• Institute for Education in Democracy (IED)
• Kenya Episcopal Conference (KEC)
• National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK)
• National Council of Women of Kenya (NCWK)
• Scorecard Initiative / CAI
• Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM)
• Women Agenda / ECWD
• Youth Empowerment Consortium / Youth Agenda

KEDOF structure comprises: a Strategic Board; Program Technical Board; Secretariat and Implementers or partners.

Visibility of civil society in a comprehensive election observation exercise is critical to ensuring compliance and respect for the rule of law, deterring electoral irregularities particularly through improved administration and management of elections. Domestic observation is intended to act as a deterrent for malpractices on Election Day (E-Day) and to incorporate a thematic component measuring ECK performance and enhancement of the ECK frameworks, assessment of public resources use for private benefit, media coverage and performance monitoring, electoral violence, party behavior and management and voter attitudes.

The observation design has an enhanced thematic perspective to ensure greater credibility of not just the events but also of processes. Additionally, such a design is intended to build broader confidence while providing wide-ranging set of data to further deepen the democratic conversation in the country. It also adopts a process rather than event perspective to looking at elections. The 2007 observation is based on the premise that although election observation deals with E-day observation, that concentrates on specific Election Day related matters it needs to be enhanced with thematic/sectoral observation (T-observation) in the pre-election period and cycle. This model is premised on the understanding that elections are pivotal for establishing the credibility to govern and the electorate needs to have sufficient confidence in the outcome.
 
The specific thematic areas and organizations responsible are:

• ECK performance (IED)
• Legal and administrative framework (CRECO, ECJP)
• Political Parties Nomination (SUPKEM, Youth Agenda)
• Electoral violence/malpractices (CJPC, NCCK)
• Gender concerns (Women’s Agenda and NCWK, Scorecard Initiative)
• Marginalised (CEDMAC, Hindu Council)
• Disabilities (DICED)
• Monitoring of media

KEDOF intends to deploy over 35,000 trained observers/poll watchers in every polling station, country wide on polling day. This will enhance the legitimacy of the process and will ensure a successful elections observation initiative. In addition, the broad-based, all inclusive and a wide representation of different organizations in KEDOF will enhance effectiveness of the observation exercise.

For further information on KEDOF, kindly contact the secretariat: kedof2007@gmail.com
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