Arid hosts training for election observers |14 July 2025

Arid hosts training for election observers

The Association for Rights, Information and Democracy organised a training workshop on Saturday at the Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Resort for a group of 24 observers.

The association officially launched its pre-voting observation process in March this year and every month a report is compiled on five thematic areas it is currently observing. These thematic areas are: use of state media and state resources, level of hate speech on social media platforms, legal framework, preparedness and level of engagement of the Electoral Commission and the conduct of the law enforcement agencies.

Saturday’s training covered various topics from role and responsibilities of observers, the media and elections, legal framework and others. The aim of the workshop was to enhance the capability and competency of observers of the Association for Rights, Information and Democracy (Arid) and learn more about changes in the Election Act and related regulations.

Arid is working closely with the Electoral Commission of Seychelles (ECS) and all international election delegations assessing the country’s electoral process.

The association has commended the Electoral Commission for its meaningful engagement with local observer groups ahead of the general elections in September, 2025.

Arid has a pool of over 30 trained observers, ready to be deployed in September and it is also engaged in a series of civic education campaigns both in the media and on the field as part of its ‘Voter’s Education Project’ funded by the National Grants Funding Scheme.

Contributed