interim statement
EISA Observation Mission Zanzibar Presidential, House of Representatives and Local Authority Elections 2005 (continued)

1.4 Method of Work

In order to assess the Zanzibar Presidential, House of Representatives and Local Authority Elections, EISA conducted various activities. These included:

Fact Finding Mission to Zanzibar

In order to satisfactorily assess the pre-election conditions for democratic elections in Zanzibar, EISA deployed a fact finding Mission to the islands between 29 August and 8 September 2005. The purpose of the Mission was to gather information and meet with election stakeholders to gauge the pre-conditions for satisfactory elections in Zanzibar. The Mission met with both the National Electoral Commission (NEC) and ZEC, as well as political parties, civil society organisations (CSOs), the media and scholars. The Mission also met domestic observer groups. The EISA delegation's findings were used to assist in the preparation and planning of the full election observation mission to Zanzibar.

Election Update

EISA contracted Zanzibar-based researchers to gather information on critical election-related matters. This information was published fortnightly in the EISA Election Update series, which was widely distributed in electronic and print formats.

Pre-Election Briefings and Party Rallies

Upon arrival, the EISA Observer Mission attended briefing sessions with various electoral stakeholders including representatives of the ZEC, political parties, CSOs, the media and scholars. The Mission also met domestic observer groups and other international observer teams. Meetings were held in Unguja and Pemba, and provided first hand information regarding the various stakeholders' assessments of the process. The teams also attended political party rallies.

Observation of Voting and Counting

The teams observed the polling on 30 October 2005 from the opening of the stations at 07h00, throughout the day until the close at 17h00. The teams also observed the counting at the polling stations and the transferring of the ballot boxes and materials to the district centre.

1.5 Principles for Election Management, Monitoring and Observation in the SADC Region

The EISA Observer Mission's assessment of the Zanzibar 2005 elections was based on the Principles for Election Management, Monitoring and Observation in the SADC Region (PEMMO). PEMMO is a set of objective guidelines against which an election can be measured to assess whether it is credible and legitimate and if the outcome reflects the will of those who cast their ballots. PEMMO was developed by EISA in partnership with the Electoral Commissions Forum of SADC Countries (SADC-ECF), which comprises all the electoral management bodies in the SADC region. These principles are the result of a region-wide consultation process with electoral stakeholders, in particular electoral management bodies and civil society organisations for whom election observation is a core activity. The principles contained in the PEMMO are compatible with the legal framework governing elections in Zanzibar.

The principles cover the entire electoral process and so include the periods before, during and after the poll. They constitute a useful tool for post-election review and electoral reforms. PEMMO also provides conduct guidelines for election observers.