Problems with election observation

During Agora Cagliari, we were present to observe the voting and vote counting sessions. Unfortunately we were not able to present our report to the Agora. Read here the explanation we wrote to AEGEE-L.

Dear Network,

AEGEE sees itself as an organization striving for democracy all over Europe. Under the motto “be the change you want to see in the world”, it is one of the aims of the Election Observation Project to conduct, and eventually institutionalize, internal election observation in AEGEE. As election observers, we see it as our duty to let you, members of AEGEE, reflect on the state of democracy in our association and give you a basis to discuss and hopefully improve.

Just like during Agora Patra, we were present during the Agora Cagliari to observe the voting and vote counting sessions. It is our job to write down and report our observations in a neutral and objective manner, in order for the Agora to draw its conclusions. According to the motion accepted during Agora Patra, time should be allocated for us on the agenda to present our election observation report. We have the mandate to make recommendations and express possible concerns. 

During the closing plenary of Agora Cagliari, we did not get the chance to present our election observation report. This was due to the fact that the Chair Team did not allocate time for us in the agenda. During the closing plenary, we considered making a procedural motion to demand speaking time for a long time. However, considering that the atmosphere as very emotional and the plenary was running extremely late, we decided to refrain from this motion.

We regret this and we are also aware that our decision to not demand speaking time is debatable since it is our responsibility to report. However, we did what we thought was best under the given circumstances. 

Having said this, we assure you that the reporting will still take place. We will share the full Election Observation Report with you as soon as possible, as well as present it during Agora Oviedo. 

Yours,

Carina, Erika, Julia, Lyda, Marije, Marta and Thomas
on behalf of the Election Observation Project