Topics to be dealt with include different electoral systems, different institutional approaches to election observation, voting and new technologies, elections and election observation in different societies, tasks of Short-Term Observers (STOs), Long-Term Observers (LTOs) and Election Supervisors.

While STO- assignments are usually very short, the responsibility and scope of LTOs is far more complex and requires much greater understanding of the various steps and processes in the organisation and running of elections. A long-term observer (LTO) is expected to gain first-hand knowledge about the effectiveness and impartiality of the pre-election administration; the implementation of the election law and regulations; the nature of the campaign; and the political environment prior to voting day as well as the relevant preparations for the arrival and deployment of STOs.

This course employs a mixture of theory and practice to equip participants with state-of-the-art methodologies derived from on-the-ground experience, also taking into account the working environment of the participants. The participants will be involved in lectures, inter-active discussions, and simulations. Election observation methodologies and approaches of relevant multilateral organisations will be presented. Complex election day observation exercises will be carried out and analysed. As such, this training has been carefully designed using an activity - based approach to maximize the learning experience.

Participants will:

• Understand the concept of elections as part of the democratic process
• Become familiar with concepts and practises of democracy
• Understand the relationship between elections and human rights and the democratic standards for elections
• Analyse the complete election cycle in a complex simulation exercis

Course Fees: € 1,355

We appreciate FDFA’s support in ten full scholarships available for people from ODA-receiving countries.

Tuition includes tuition fee, course materials, shuttle to and from the airport, as well as full-board accommodation, coffee breaks and a social event.

Application Deadline: 20th of January 2020