VICTORIA, Seychelles — The Association for Rights, Information and Democracy (ARID) will deploy 35 observers for the 2025 general elections, after certifying them at the end of its final training session on Saturday at the National Museum conference room.
The training also marked the launch of the Election Observation Mission, done in partnership with the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA). Ten of the observers are from the newly created ARID Youth subsidiary, while 25 are past observers with local or international experience. All 35 signed the code of conduct and received their badges at the ceremony.
ARID chairperson Jules Hoareau said local observers are more important than international ones for several reasons. ‘They will know the local context including what is happening within the country, the candidates and the culture,’ he explained, adding that local observers are familiar with the country’s legal framework and are present throughout the process, whereas international observers spend only a limited time in the country.
Mr Hoareau noted that the observation is anchored in international principles, including the African Charter on Election Governance and Democracy and the Declaration of Principles for Election Observation. He said the framework guides how ARID analyses the process and makes recommendations to partners including the police, media and Electoral Commission, with particular focus on the parameters of free, fair, transparent and credible elections.
