Elections
Former legislators have unparalleled expertise when it comes to the electoral process. In addition to having stood for election themselves, many IEMI members have worked on the municipal, state and federal level either in campaigns or as election officials. By bringing together former legislators from Canada, Europe, and the United States, IEMI can offer experience in a number of electoral systems as well as the knowledge and skills necessary to be keen election monitors.
Leaders of the three founding organizations sign the charter creating IEMI on 19 May 2005.
In addition, former legislators, unlike their current counterparts, can donate the time necessary to conduct an in-depth observation mission that will stand up to scrutiny. IEMI engages former legislators from almost 30 countries and from all political backgrounds. Our delegations represent the community of democracies and not just one country’s ideology.
IEMI partners with like-minded NGOs and governmental institutions across the globe as it deploys its members on election monitoring missions. We recognize that the best election monitoring delegation is one that brings together the expertise of different backgrounds, professions, and experiences. IEMI therefore recommends that its trained former legislator delegations are part of a larger mission organized by reputable and professional outside organizations.
From 2 September through 10 September 2007, members of IEMI participated in an election observation mission to Morocco under the organization of the National Democratic Institute (NDI). The group, composed of two Americans, three Canadians, one Dutch former legislator, and one French former legislator, joined an international delegation of 52 observers from 19 countries.
Team in Morocco
On election day, 7 September, the international delegation deployed to 12 regions in the country and visited 375 polling stations.
In addition, observers participated in briefings and meetings before election day to ascertain the political and legal climate in which the Moroccan electorate could cast their votes.
Meeting participants included representatives of political parties, government officials, candidates, civic leaders, domestic observers, electoral authorities, representatives of the international and domestic media, and voters. IEMI members participated in drafting NDI’s preliminary statement as well as its final report. The participation of former legislators was deemed extremely helpful in identifying specific recommendations which the Moroccan government could implement to further improve its electoral process.