Guidelines to Assist National Minority Participation in the Electoral Process III. • Page: 37 ROLE OF NEEDS ASSESSMENT MISSION Assess General Legislative Framework Depending upon whether an analysis of the legislative framework has been conducted prior to the NAM, the NAM team should seek to identify main concerns and the political implications of the relevant laws. Based on Table 1 above, the NAM should assess to what extent legislative provisions may limit the participation of national minorities. If a full analysis has already been completed, the NAM should raise the key points and concerns with their interlocutors to gain a greater insight into the issues. • Meet Representatives of Political and Civil Society One of the prime reasons of a NAM is to meet with representatives of key institutions and organisations. With regards to national minority issues, interlocutors may include: - Central Election Commission / Ministry responsible for election Government ministry responsible for citizenship claims Political Parties, including parties representing national minorities National minority interest groups / representatives International and domestic NGOs concerned with national minority issues Local media, including representatives of national minorities During these meetings, the NAM should raise any specific concerns that have come to light, such as during the analysis of the legislative framework, or based on previous elections or recent developments. • Assess Process for Attaining Citizenship and Implications for Voter Registration During NAM meetings, it is important to ascertain whether any national minorities have faced impediments in trying to register to vote. This may be due to problems in attaining citizenship, in which case the NAM should look into the issue of citizenship with the appropriate body. Table 2 below lists some of the questions that may be raised: Table 2 " Is a permanent residence or address a requirement for registration? " Did a particular national minority face problems registering as voters? " Are these problems legislative, administrative, or political? " Are the authorities making a good faith effort to rectify the shortcomings? " What will be the political ramifications of the gaps in the registration process? " Will it affect the level of representation for the national minority? " Can a citizen without identity documentation register to vote?