OSCE/ODIHR opens mission to observe general
elections in United States
WASHINGTON D.C., 9 October 2012 – The Office for Democratic
Institutions and Human Rights of the Organization for Security and
Co-operation in Europe (OSCE/ODIHR) today officially opened an election
observation mission for the general elections to be held in the United
States on 6 November.
The limited election observation mission's deployment follows an
invitation from the authorities of the United States. As a
participating State in the OSCE, the United States has committed itself
to conducting elections in line with OSCE standards and inviting
international election observers. ODIHR has assessed elections in the
United States since 2002.
The mission is led by Ambassador Daan Everts and consists of 13
international experts based in Washington D.C. and 44 long-term
observers to be deployed throughout the country. The observers are
drawn from 23 OSCE participating States. The mission began its
activities on 4 October.
Observers will assess these elections for compliance with international
obligations and standards for democratic elections, including the
commitments agreed to by all the OSCE participating States, and with
national legislation. The mission will analyze the legislative
framework and its implementation and will follow campaign activities,
the work of the election administration and relevant government bodies,
including voter registration, and the resolution of election disputes.
As part of its observation, the ODIHR mission will conduct
comprehensive monitoring of the media.
The mission will meet with representatives from relevant federal and
state authorities and political parties, as well as with candidates,
and with representatives from the judiciary, civil society and the
media.
In line with ODIHR’s methodology for limited election observation, the
mission will not carry out systematic or comprehensive observation of
the voting, counting, and tabulation on election day. Mission members
will, however, visit a number of polling stations across the country to
follow election day procedures.
A statement of preliminary findings and conclusions will be issued and
presented to the public on the day after the election. A final report
on the observation of the entire electoral process will be published
approximately two months after the completion of the election process.
For further information, please contact Giovanna Maiola, EOM Media
Analyst, at +1 202 215 2291 (mobile) or giovanna.maiola@odihr.us, or
Richard Lappin, Election Advisor, at +48 601 998 790 (mobile) or
richard.lappin@odihr.pl.
Please also consult the mission website at:
http://www.osce.org/odihr/94913