SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Plan and manage electoral observations to contribute towards free and fair elections 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
119622  Plan and manage electoral observations to contribute towards free and fair elections 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Democracy, Human Rights, Peace and Elections 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
PSETA - Public Service Sector Education and Training Authority 
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 07 - Human and Social Studies Public Policy, Politics and Democratic Citizenship 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 6  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6  8 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard will be useful for people who typically (but not exclusively) work in entities not directly involved in elections management and who are custodians of democratic processes, such as NGOs. It is also useful for those people presently involved in elections management wishing to gain a perspective of outside structures, or wish to move into observation roles. People who monitor developments in the field (from internal or external perspectives) may also have an interest in this unit standard.

People credited with this unit standard are capable of:
  • Defining the purpose of electoral observation;
  • Developing a project and communication plan for electoral observations;
  • Managing electoral observations;
  • Making an assessment on the extent that elections are free and fair;
  • Reporting and advising on the extent that elections are free and fair; and
  • Evaluating electoral observation. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The credit calculation is based on the assumption that learners are already competent in terms of the following outcomes or areas of learning when starting to learn towards this unit standard:
  • Report writing at NQF level 5
  • Project management
  • Working knowledge of electoral legislation
  • Conducting a low scale needs analysis
  • Co-ordination and management of resources and personnel
  • Conducting electoral observations
  • Demonstrating knowledge of electoral principles, practices and processes 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
  • This unit standard applies to elections at national, provincial, local or organisational levels that demand formal specified requirements and procedures, including secret ballots and voters' lists or rolls, within the context of established legislation and/or a constitution or documented rules and guidelines of some other form.
  • Assessment of this unit standard may be undertaken in a simulated environment, providing all the usual elements of elections can be reasonably simulated.
  • Electoral processes are defined to include the following:
    > Pre-election Phases - voter registration, voter education process and system (excludes the development of voter education programmes which is dealt with in another unit standard), boundary/constituency delimitation, political party and/or candidate registration and candidate nomination
    > Election Phase - voting
    > Post- election Phase - counting, reconciliation of results and materials, seat calculation and allocation where applicable (i.e. how the votes translate into a position of power), dispute processes and mechanisms (concerning any of the various processes). 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Define the purpose of electoral observation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The type of election is identified and classified in terms of constraints, barriers and challenges. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Potential reasons for conducting an election are identified and described in terms of process and required outcomes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Potential reasons for conducting an observation are identified and described in terms of process and required outcomes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The purpose of the observation is defined in terms of pre-determined election observation standards and criteria. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Develop a project and communication plan for electoral observations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Resources are identified and allocated in accordance with specific requirements and availability. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Resources include human, financial and physical resources.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The sampling plan is developed for the purpose of gathering representative data of the freeness and fairness of the election and is supported by statistical data where possible, in accordance with available resources. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Any judgement or declaration about the elections will have to be qualified by the extent of observation that was possible.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Project steps are defined in terms of measurable objectives and time-frames in accordance with available resources. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The communication plan is developed in accordance with public expectations and complements the project plan in terms of timing, substance and distribution. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The project plan is communicated to relevant stakeholders in accordance with agreed timeframes. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Manage electoral observations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Electoral observations are conducted according to the project plan within allocated timeframes and budgetary constraints. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Available personnel are allocated and managed according to their personal role definitions and capabilities. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Resources are allocated and managed according to their potential use in the election process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Interventions required are identified and put in place in order to ensure minimum interruption to the election process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Interventions recommended are appropriate to the situation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Correct use of designed observation instruments is facilitated to ensure that the observation is in line with the purposes of observation. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Make an assessment on the extent that elections are free and fair. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Based on a collation of observation reports from a variety of sources. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The assessment of elections is made in accordance with given criteria. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The assessment is based on verifiable evidence as supplied by managed sources or observers, and independently gathered evidence samples. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Evidence includes newspaper clippings, observation sheets, photographs or video.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Interpretation of unclear assessment results is confirmed with other neutral parties. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    All relevant factors are taken into consideration when making a judgment on the elections being free and fair. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Report and advise on the extent that elections are free and fair. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Interim and final reports. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Language is consistent with electoral terminology and is pitched at an appropriate level for the target audience.
    The report is compiled in line with the observation management plan. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The report is presented in a manner that is appropriate to the audience in terms of medium, delivery and format. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The report may be presented orally, through audio-visual presentation or as a written report.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The report is accurate and concise and covers all aspects of the electoral process in accordance with the terms of reference. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Key areas covered include sites of observation, aspects of what was observed, problems, transgressions, actions/interventions, results of interventions, self evaluation of own management.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Information is presented in a clear and structured manner and meets the specified format requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The report is compiled in line with the observation management plan. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6 
    Evaluate electoral observation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The evaluation identifies strengths and weaknesses of observation planning and management in terms of the observation purpose. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Recommendations made have the potential to improve the planning and management of observation in future. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Assessors for this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA by SAQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines and the agreed ETQA procedures.
  • Moderators must be registered as assessors with the relevant ETQA, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Elections legislation and/or specified requirements.
  • Principles and values of democracy
  • Assessment of evidence against criteria
  • Resources required for observation and monitoring of elections
  • Roles and responsibilities of stakeholders 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems: this will be demonstrated generally throughout the standard, but particularly when solving observation related problems. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively: this standard demands high levels of self-management. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information: this will be displayed when monitoring election processes and reporting on activities. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills: communication will be demonstrated through interactions with all role-players, as well as in the form of reporting. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically: this will be demonstrated to a limited extent, mainly in relation to election-related technology and reporting. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Understand the world as a set of inter-related parts of a system: This will be demonstrated in a limited sense, but mainly through a consideration of the impact situations could have on the electoral process and result. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  67460   National Diploma: Public Administration  Level 6  NQF Level 06  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.