British Democracy Forum - View Single Post - What's it take to be an international election monitor?

chikrodah · 23-04-2008, 04:27 PM

Well aarable, one has to wonder whether you ever bothered to listen to Aardvark when he explained to you on numerous occasions, in front of witnesses, just what's involved in being an International Election Monitor.

But that's not really the point of your post, is it?

I'm sure Aardvark will be happy to elucidate in detail later, but I'll do my best for now.

There are many different types of International Election Monitor.
The UK uses Monitors from a wide variety of backgrounds.
Typically UK IEMs on either Long or Short Term Observations need either at least a Masters degree, significant long-term experience in running or observing elections, or a specialist knowledge of the region.
It helps to have at least a colloquial understanding of one European language and, if possible, a colloquial ability in the language of the country you are monitoring.
The work is hard, the pay is minimal and it's not unusual for an IEM to spend several weeks working 18 hour days in barely adequate accomodation half-way up a mountain in poor conditions. Central heating and a regular water supply (let alone hot water) are not guaranteed. Interesting diseases caused by heavy metal pollution may be your only souvenir of your trip.
Parliamentarian Monitors are MPs who have a different remit to 'normal' International Election Monitors. They are governed by differing rules and processes. It's not the same job.

23-04-2008, 04:27 PM	#2 (permalink)
chikrodah Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Midlands Posts: 1,662	Well aarable, one has to wonder whether you ever bothered to listen to Aardvark when he explained to you on numerous occasions, in front of witnesses, just what's involved in being an International Election Monitor. But that's not really the point of your post, is it? I'm sure Aardvark will be happy to elucidate in detail later, but I'll do my best for now. There are many different types of International Election Monitor. The UK uses Monitors from a wide variety of backgrounds. Typically UK IEMs on either Long or Short Term Observations need either at least a Masters degree, significant long-term experience in running or observing elections, or a specialist knowledge of the region. It helps to have at least a colloquial understanding of one European language and, if possible, a colloquial ability in the language of the country you are monitoring. The work is hard, the pay is minimal and it's not unusual for an IEM to spend several weeks working 18 hour days in barely adequate accomodation half-way up a mountain in poor conditions. Central heating and a regular water supply (let alone hot water) are not guaranteed. Interesting diseases caused by heavy metal pollution may be your only souvenir of your trip. Parliamentarian Monitors are MPs who have a different remit to 'normal' International Election Monitors. They are governed by differing rules and processes. It's not the same job.