The article deals with the role of the African Union in the regulation of the electoral process in the member States. The legal and regulatory framework for the participation of the African Union in the observation of elections and changes in the electoral law and process on the continent is considered. The institutional features of regulation of the electoral process in Africa are analyzed. The article shows the role and importance of the African Charter of democracy, elections and governance for the organization of voting in the member States of the African Union. The question of the participation of international institutions in the elections is raised. The article describes in detail the activities of short-and long-term observer missions in the preparation and conduct of elections, on the example of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Trends in the development of the African Union, the inclusion of the New partnership for Africa's development (NEPAD) and the African peer review mechanism (APRM) in the African agenda were analysed. Features of interaction of the African Union with other international organizations concerning carrying out vote are shown. The article provides a critical analysis of the current state of the African Union, its importance for African countries and the world community.
