1. Healthcare

United Kingdom General Elections 2015
ISCA-AIDC Observation Mission
The United Kingdom will be holding national elections for its 56th Parliament, on May 7th, 2015.
In the general election, voting will take place in all parliamentary constituencies of the United
Kingdom to elect Members of Parliament (MPs) to seats in the House of Commons, the lower
house of the Parliament. There are local elections scheduled to take place on the same day
across most of England, with the notable exception of London.
An ongoing backdrop to this spring’s election will be the government’s difficult task, among
others, of negotiating further devolution with the Scottish National Party. The emergence of UK
Independence Party and the future role of the UK in the European Union, will further shape the
political landscape. The upcoming UK election, is considered by many political observers as the
most important vote in a generation!
ISCA-AIDC, a non-governmental organization with offices in Saskatoon and Charlottetown, is
offering a limited number of individuals the opportunity to participate as international election
observers. While in the United Kingdom, participants will receive training covering various
aspects of election monitoring and the chance to observe voting on Election Day as an officially
accredited international observer. There will also be opportunities to tour many of the sights in
the United Kingdom. ISCA-AIDC will provide participants with observer accreditation and
organize accommodations, in-country training and travel. Please note that this is a self-funded
observation mission. Dates for the mission are May 3-10, 2015. For more information, please
visit www.isca-aidc.ca or email [email protected]
Tentative Agenda - ISCA-AIDC is pleased to be able to offer observers the option of observing
the election in England or Scotland. Applicants must indicate preference when applying.
Date
Scotland Team
England Team
nd
May 2
Arrive in London
Arrive in London
May 3rd
Daytime – Training, Evening - Free
Daytime – Training, Evening - Free
th
May 4
Morning-Training, Afternoon-Depart Morning-Training, Afternoon-Free
for Edinburgh VIA train
th
May 5
Day Tour of Scotland Sights
Day tour of English Sights
th
May 6
Day Tour of Scotland Sights
Day Tour of English Sights
May 7th
Election
Election
th
May 8
Morning-Counting Centre, Afternoon- Morning-Counting Centre, Afternoon- Free
Depart to London VIA train
th
May 9
Depart
Depart
United Kingdom General Elections Observation Mission 2015
Participants must apply by February 10th, 2015.
1) Cost – Scotland Observation Mission is $3,695.00 CDN* per person. England
Observation Mission is $3,995.00 CDN* per person. (based on single occupancy)
2) Participants are selected by ISCA-AIDC on a first come basis. Selected participants will
receive notification by February 15th, 2015. ISCA-AIDC will then register the participants
with the United Kingdom Electoral Commission. Once ISCA-AIDC has received
confirmation of accreditation, each participant will be fully registered to participate in
this mission.
3) Payment schedule – Initial deposit of $1,500.00 is due on March 3rd, 2015 (Following
confirmation of accreditation with UK Electoral Commission), remainder due on April
3rd, 2015. CANCELLATION POLICY: If you have to cancel prior to April 3rd, 2015 the initial
deposit is retained; after April 3rd, 2015, 100% of cost is retained. *It is strongly
recommended that you purchase cancellation and medical coverage.
4) Includes accommodation (based on single occupancy) for 7 nights, 7 breakfasts, two
planned day tours, Election Day transport, farewell dinner, observer mission vest,
training and training materials, and observer accreditation. Not included are:
international airfare, transfers to and from hotel; lunches and dinners; other
activities/sightseeing entrances outside of the organized events
5) Disclaimer: Although ISCA-AIDC makes every effort to verify and select professional and
quality service providers, ISCA acts as an agent for the owners and contractors providing
transportation, hotel or other services, and therefore, shall not be liable or responsible
in any way for any loss, damage, injury, delay or accident due to any default on the part
of any company or person engaged in any part of this observer mission. We reserve the
right to withdraw any tour outlined or to make changes to itineraries or schedules as
circumstances deem necessary.
6) ISCA-AIDC expects that each selected observer will contribute as an active member of
the mission. It is our objective to provide each selected candidate with easy access to
the information they will need to be an informed and effective election observer. It is
the selected candidate's responsibility to read the information provided and actively
engage in their own preparations for departure.
7) All observers should conduct themselves with the utmost professionalism. Each will be
asked to sign a letter of agreement and code of conduct prior to departure. Observers
must maintain strict impartiality in their conduct, and never express any bias or
preference in relation to the national authorities, parties, candidates, or any issues in
contention in the election process
Application
United Kingdom General Elections Observation Mission 2015
Participants must apply by February 10th, 2015
(Complete this page and email a scanned copy to [email protected])
Indicate Preference:
___ Scotland Mission
___ England Mission
Last Name (as it appears on passport):______________________________________________
Given Names (as it appears on passport):____________________________________________
Address:
Street name: __________________________________________________________________
Town: _________________________________________ Postal code: ____________________
Province: ______________________________Country:________________________________
Passport Information:
Date of Birth: _________________________ Sex:_________ Citizenship:__________________
Passport Number:___________________ Expiry Date:__________________________________
Please tell us a bit about yourself (include any pervious election experience and why you are
interested in observing this election):
______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
If selected, I agree to adhere to the observer code of conduct, maintaining professional
independence and strict impartiality.
Signature:________________________________________________Date:_________________
United Kingdom General Elections Observation Mission 2014
Tour Agenda
Scotland Observation Team
May 2nd – All team members arrive in London. Accommodations at Hotel Marriot Maida Vale
(http://www.marriott.co.uk/hotels/travel/lonwh-london-marriott-hotel-maida-vale)
May 3rd – Breakfast at Hotel Marriot Maida Vale. Participants will spend the day receiving
training on principles of international election monitoring, a history of election monitoring,
background on UK Parliamentary Elections, current political context, etc. (Location – Marriot
Maida Vale). Evening – Free
May 4th – Breakfast at Hotel Marriot Maida Vale. Participants will attend training in the morning
covering Election Day logistics and election monitoring forms. Early afternoon, the Scottish
Observation Team will depart to Edinburgh (via train). Upon arriving in Edinburgh, participants
will be transported to Melville Castle (http://melvillecastle.com/). After settling in, be treated
to a Scotch tasting evening!
May 5th – Breakfast at Melville Castle. The Team will depart for a day tour, including: a visit to
Bannockburn, Sterling Castle, the Wallace monument, and Loch Lomond. Evening – Visit the
Royal Mile
May 6th – Breakfast provided at Melville Castle. The Team will depart for a day tour, including:
Edinburgh Castle, Dirleton castle, and Tantallon Castle. Evening – Free
May 7th – Election Day! Breakfast at Melville Castle. Team members will visit polling stations
throughout their assigned areas and ending the day at the Edinburgh Counting Centre.
May 8th – Breakfast at Melville Castle. Morning at Edinburgh Counting Centre (or free if
counting has been completed). Afternoon team departs for London via train and return to
Marriot Maida Vale. Evening – Farewell dinner
May 9th – Breakfast at Hotel Marriot Maida Vale. Team members depart for home.
Provided – Accommodations 7 nights, 7 breakfasts, Training sessions, London Travel Card (Zones
1-6), Return Train ticket from London Paddington to Edinburgh Waverly, Transport (return) from
Edinburgh Waverly to Melville Castle, Scotch tasting session, Two day tours including entrance
fees to Sterling Castle, Wallace Monument, Boat tour of Loch Lomond, Edinburgh Castle,
Dirleton Castle, Tantallon Castle, Election Day transport, Farewell dinner, plus mission handouts,
observer manual, and observer vest. Internet – The Marriot provides free wireless internet in
only the lounge and reception areas. It is available in the hotel rooms for £15.00/day. Melville
Castle provides wireless free of charge throughout hotel.
England Observation Team
May 2nd – All team members arrive in London. Accommodations at Hotel Marriot Maida Vale
(http://www.marriott.co.uk/hotels/travel/lonwh-london-marriott-hotel-maida-vale )
May 3rd – Breakfast at Hotel Marriot Maida Vale. Participants will spend the day receiving
training on principles of international election monitoring, a history of election monitoring,
background on UK Parliamentary Elections, current political context, etc. (Location – Marriot
Maida Vale). Evening – Free
May 4th – Breakfast at Hotel Marriot Maida Vale. Participants will attend training in the
morning covering Election Day logistics and election monitoring forms. The England
Observation Team has the afternoon free to explore London
May 5th – Breakfast at Hotel Maida Vale. The Team will depart for a day tour, including: Dover
White Cliff Visitor Centre, Dover War Memorial, Leeds Castle, and Canterbury Cathedral.
Evening - Free
May 6th – Breakfast provided at Hotel Maida Vale. The Team will depart for a day tour,
including: Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, and Bath. Evening - Free
May 7th – Election Day! Breakfast at Hotel Maida Vale. Team members will visit polling stations
throughout their assigned areas and ending the day at the Counting Centre.
May 8th – Breakfast at Hotel Maida Vale. Morning at Counting Centre (or free if counting has
been completed). Afternoon team is free to explore London. Evening – Farewell dinner
May 9th – Breakfast at Hotel Marriot Maida Vale. Team members depart for home.
Provided – Accommodations 7 nights, 7 breakfasts, Training sessions, London Travel Card (Zones
1-6), Two day tours including entrance fees to Leeds castle, Canterbury Cathedral, Winsor
Castle, Stonehenge, Election Day transport, Farewell dinner, plus mission handouts and observer
manual and observer vest. Internet – The Marriot provides free wireless internet in only the
lounge and reception areas. It is available in the hotel rooms for £15.00/day.