Paper short abstract:

This paper explores election observation in post-conflict spaces. It uses data from the PA-X Peace Agreements Database to determine how election observation is built-in to peace agreements and it evaluates the network of actors involved in election observation and their impact on election processes.

Paper long abstract:

Election observation is becomingly increasingly standard as a tool to promote democratization but also as a tool to mitigate the potential for conflict. This paper explores the use of election observation by regional organizations and international diplomatic actors in post-conflict spaces. It draws on data from the PA-X Peace Agreements Database to determine how election observation is built-in to peace agreements to prevent the re-mergence of conflict. It then examines why regional and international institutions that are not technical experts in election processes are engaged in election observation, and it concludes with a discussion of the benefits and drawbacks of the increasingly vast network of actors involved in election observation and their impact on election processes.