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The purpose of an EU Election Observation Missions around the world is to provide support for the development of the country's democratic institutions and procedures, and to assist partner countries in their objective to hold elections of a high standard. In this context the EU EOM will conduct a comprehensive analysis of the electoral process.
An observation mission assesses all aspects of the electoral process, including the legal framework, election administration, campaign, media, voting, counting and tabulation and complaints and appeals processes. On election day EOM teams will visit polling stations to observe the opening, voting and counting, and they will observe consolidation of results.
The fundamental principles for EU observation are set out in a Communication from the European Commission on EU election assistance and observation:
"International election observation is based on the principles of full coverage, impartiality, transparency and professionalism. Its ultimate objective is to become superfluous by entrenching democracy deep within each nation through development of national capacities. Its main goals are the legitimisation of an electoral process, where appropriate, and the enhancement of public confidence in the electoral process, to deter fraud, to strengthen respect for human rights, and to contribute to the resolution of conflict ."
Excerpt from: Communication from the European Commission on EU election assistance and observation. Brussels, 11.April.2000, COM(2000), 191 final.
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