CODE of conduct for TEMCO election observers

1. Observers are obliged to observe and comply with all laws, regulations and guidelines governing and guiding elections, as enacted or otherwise issued by the Election Management Bodies, i.e. The National Electoral Commission (NEC) and Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC);
2. Observers will carry any prescribed identification issued by the Electoral Management Bodies, NEC or ZEC and will identify themselves to any authority upon request. They will also be required to dress in TEMCO observers’ apparel;
3. Observers shall at all times during the currency of this agreement maintain strict neutrality and impartiality in the conduct of their duties and will at no time publicly express or exhibit any bias or preference in relation to national authorities, parties or candidates, or with reference to any issues in contention in the election process;
4. Observers are prohibited from making personal comments about their observations to the media. Observers are strictly forbidden from speaking to the media regarding the substance of their observations and findings. TEMCO Chairman and Head of Election Observation mission or deputy head of election observation mission may make substantive comments to the media;
5. Observers will undertake their duties in an unobtrusive manner and will not interfere in the electoral process. TEMCO observers may raise questions with election officials and bring irregularities to their attention, but they must not give instructions or countermand their decisions;
6. Observers will base all conclusions on their personal observations or on clear and convincing facts or evidence;
7. All information and documents arising from the observers' work must be held in confidence and communicated only to TEMCO;
8. Observers must not conduct any activity that could be reasonably perceived as favoring or providing partisan gain for any political competitor;
9. Observers will not take any unnecessary or undue risks. Each observer’s personal safety overrides all other considerations;
10. Observers will exhibit the highest levels of personal discretion and professional behaviour at all times;
11. Observers will attend all required TEMCO meetings and debriefings and adhere to the deployment plan and all other instructions provided by the TEMCO;
12. Observers should present themselves in proper manner, dress formally and reflect the good standing of TEMCO at all times;
13. Observers will remain on duty throughout Election Day, and will observe the entire election day processes, including opening of the polling station, security, polling, vote counting and tabulation as well as declaration of the results; and
14. Any absence from duty without reasonable cause from the constituency shall constitute ground for dismissal.