EU Election Observation Missions are led by a Chief Observer supported by a core team that is normally deployed in country about eight weeks prior to election day. Long-term observers arrive to observe the preparations for the election and the campaign period at the regional level about five to six weeks before polling. Short-term observers arrive shortly before election day in order to increase the observation capacities of the mission during polling, counting and the aggregation of results.
The EU Election Observation Mission will assess the conduct of the elections in terms of compliance with international standards. Such international standards for elections stem from political rights and fundamental freedoms which are enshrined in universal and regional instruments. These instruments establish legal and political commitments to meet specific standards in relation to elections. The EOM will also refer to best practice for elections.
International standards relate to the following:
- the right and opportunity, without any distinction or unreasonable restrictions, for citizens to participate in government and public affairs through:
- periodic elections,
- genuine elections,
- universal suffrage,
- equal suffrage,
- the right to stand for election,
- the right to vote,
- the right to a secret ballot,
- the free expression of the will of voters;
- the freedom of expression;
- the freedom of association;
- the freedom of assembly;
- the freedom of movement;
- the freedom from discrimination;
- the right to an effective legal remedy.
An observation mission does not interfere in the electoral process and has no authority to change, improve or correct any shortcomings or to request changes during the election process. The observation mission has only the mandate to collect and verify information concerning the election process, to analyse the observations and, then, after the elections, to publish its findings and conclusions. Regular meetings are held with election officials at national, regional and local levels, political parties, candidates, civil society and media throughout the country.
A few days following election day, the Chief Observer of the EU EOM will issue a public preliminary statement based on long-term and short-term observations of the entire process. Within two month after the completion of the entire election process, a comprehensive report will be issued, which will include a series of recommendations for improvements to the overall electoral process.
The EU has organised Election Observation Missions in many countries across the world, including: Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Fiji, Sri Lanka, Togo, Tanzania, Guyana, Zimbabwe, Peru, Nicaragua, Cote d’Ivoire, Indonesia, Bangladesh, East Timor, Suriname, Cambodia, South Africa, Madagascar, Ecuador, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Cambodia, Guatemala, Mozambique, West Bank and Gaza, Ethiopia, Guinea Bissau, Uganda, Afghanistan and Yemen.
