Story by Ian Zvoma, News Editor
LEGISLATORS from the Pan African Parliament (PAP) have converged in Pretoria, South Africa, for a training programme on election observation being conducted by the African Union (AU).
The initiative follows a resolution adopted during the Sixteenth Ordinary Session of the AU Executive Council in 2010, which mandated PAP to participate in joint AU Election Observer Missions (EOMs). Under this arrangement, PAP contributes 40 percent of the observers for AU election missions.
The AU Election Observer Missions are responsible for monitoring elections in line with the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, which promotes the conduct of free, fair, and transparent elections across the continent.
The capacity-building exercise, officially opened by PAP president, Chief Fortune Charumbira, is designed to equip legislators with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively discharge their roles as election observers. It focuses on enhancing understanding of electoral processes, observation procedures, and adherence to AU principles governing elections.
The training forms part of ongoing efforts by the African Union and the Pan African Parliament to strengthen electoral integrity, democratic governance, and political stability across the continent through professional and standardised election observation practices.
