25
OSCE/ODIHR in Norway Drew Hyslop, Election Adviser
OSCE/ODIHR in NorwayOSCE/ODIHR in Norway
Drew Hyslop, Election AdviserDrew Hyslop, Election Adviser
Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR)Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR)
OSCE Institution 1990 - Office for
Free Elections 1992 - renamed
ODIHR 2010 - has a staff of
more than 130
OSCE Institution 1990 - Office for
Free Elections 1992 - renamed
ODIHR 2010 - has a staff of
more than 130
ODIHR Director
Elections Democratization Human Rights
Tolerance & Non-Discrimination
AdministrationProject
Coordination
Public Affairs
Five thematic programmes:
1st Deputy Director
HD meetings2nd Deputy
Director
Roma and SintiContact Point
Structure of the OSCE/ODIHRStructure of the OSCE/ODIHR
Election DepartmentElection Department
Professional Staff – 10 General Service Staff – 4 More than 3,500 election
experts and observers deployed each year
Since 1996, 150 missions and approx. 30,000 observers
Professional Staff – 10 General Service Staff – 4 More than 3,500 election
experts and observers deployed each year
Since 1996, 150 missions and approx. 30,000 observers
Albania - EOMFYROM - EOM
Greece - EAMGermany – EAM
Norway - EAMMoldova – 2 EOMs
Kyrgyzstan - EOM
European Parliament Elections
Montenegro - EOMPortugal - EAM
Iceland - EAM
Liechtenstein - NAM
Election Activities in 2009Election Activities in 2009
Bulgaria - LEOMUzbekistan - EAM
Afghanistan – ESTUkraine - EOM Tajikistan - EOMCroatia - LEOM
Why Observe?Why Observe?
To assess compliance with the OSCE commitments (not to certify or validate)
To assess compliance with the OSCE commitments (not to certify or validate)
To enhance the integrity of the process
To recommend ways in which the electoral process can be improved
To deter possible fraud and intimidation
Election ObservationElection Observation
Copenhagen Document, para 8:
“The OSCE participating States consider that the presence of observers, both foreign and domestic, can enhance the electoral process for States in which elections are taking place.”
Copenhagen Document, para 8:
“The OSCE participating States consider that the presence of observers, both foreign and domestic, can enhance the electoral process for States in which elections are taking place.”
Mandate for ObservationMandate for Observation
Copenhagen Document 1990 – established basic criteria for genuine democratic elections
Rome Ministerial 1993 – enhanced the role of ODIHR in comprehensive election monitoring
Budapest Summit 1994 – Long-term observation mandate
Istanbul Summit 1999 – Commitment to follow-up on recommendations
Copenhagen Document 1990 – established basic criteria for genuine democratic elections
Rome Ministerial 1993 – enhanced the role of ODIHR in comprehensive election monitoring
Budapest Summit 1994 – Long-term observation mandate
Istanbul Summit 1999 – Commitment to follow-up on recommendations
Summary of OSCE CommitmentsSummary of OSCE Commitments
universal
equal
fair
secret
free
transparent
accountable
universal
equal
fair
secret
free
transparent
accountable
Needs Assessment MissionNeeds Assessment Mission
Composition: 2/3 ODIHR representatives Duration: 3-5 days Objectives:
Assess the conditions for observation Recommend the level of ODIHR involvement
and the number of observers required Modalities:
Meetings with stakeholders Publication of NAM report
Composition: 2/3 ODIHR representatives Duration: 3-5 days Objectives:
Assess the conditions for observation Recommend the level of ODIHR involvement
and the number of observers required Modalities:
Meetings with stakeholders Publication of NAM report
Election Observation Mission (EOM) Limited Election Observation Mission
(LEOM) Election Assessment Mission (EAM) Election Support Team (EST) No Deployment
Election Observation Mission (EOM) Limited Election Observation Mission
(LEOM) Election Assessment Mission (EAM) Election Support Team (EST) No Deployment
ODIHR Election ActivitiesODIHR Election Activities
Dialogue with OSCE pSDialogue with OSCE pS
Deployment of anElection Activity
2 – 12 weeksbefore election
Follow UpTechnical Assistance
Needs Assessment Mission (NAM)
2 – 4 months before election
Final Report2 months
after election
EAM to NorwayEAM to Norway
NAM deployed 22-25 June 2009 Deployment of 8 experts for 2 weeks
• 3 – 16 September• Experts and practitioners
Team visited 16 municipalities No systematic observation Final report released on 27 November
Findings of EAM to NorwayFindings of EAM to Norway
Political pluralism Respect for fundamental freedoms High degree of public trust in
impartiality of election administration
Integrity of process as a whole Responsiveness to address issues
Political pluralism Respect for fundamental freedoms High degree of public trust in
impartiality of election administration
Integrity of process as a whole Responsiveness to address issues
Recommendations of EAMRecommendations of EAM
1. Consideration might be given to allowing officials employed in government ministries the right to be elected to office.
1. Consideration might be given to allowing officials employed in government ministries the right to be elected to office.
Recommendations of EAMRecommendations of EAM
2. Consideration might be given to reviewing the duty to be elected, ensuring it is fully consistent with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which states that no one should be forced to associate with a political party or group not of his/her choosing.
2. Consideration might be given to reviewing the duty to be elected, ensuring it is fully consistent with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which states that no one should be forced to associate with a political party or group not of his/her choosing.
Recommendations of EAMRecommendations of EAM
3. Consideration could be given to a review of the constitutional provision for the distribution of parliamentary seats among constituencies, in order to ensure a better compliance with the principle of equal suffrage.
3. Consideration could be given to a review of the constitutional provision for the distribution of parliamentary seats among constituencies, in order to ensure a better compliance with the principle of equal suffrage.
Recommendations of EAMRecommendations of EAM
4. It is recommended that consideration be given to amend the Election Act to either provide voters with a genuine opportunity to affect the election of a particular candidate by lowering the threshold or to move to a closed list system.
4. It is recommended that consideration be given to amend the Election Act to either provide voters with a genuine opportunity to affect the election of a particular candidate by lowering the threshold or to move to a closed list system.
Recommendations of EAMRecommendations of EAM
5. Consideration should be given to restricting candidates from serving as members of Polling Committees and Electoral Committees, in order to prevent any real or perceived conflict of interest.
5. Consideration should be given to restricting candidates from serving as members of Polling Committees and Electoral Committees, in order to prevent any real or perceived conflict of interest.
Recommendations of EAMRecommendations of EAM
6. The authorities should continue efforts to ensure secrecy of the vote, including broadening the use of the colored pilot ballot if it is found to be more effective.
6. The authorities should continue efforts to ensure secrecy of the vote, including broadening the use of the colored pilot ballot if it is found to be more effective.
Recommendations of EAMRecommendations of EAM
7. The authorities should consider adopting consistent procedures on election day safeguards, including sealing of the ballot boxes on election day.
7. The authorities should consider adopting consistent procedures on election day safeguards, including sealing of the ballot boxes on election day.
Recommendations of EAMRecommendations of EAM
8. The election authorities should adopt a consistent approach for identifying voters, while minimizing the possibility for disenfranchisement.
8. The election authorities should adopt a consistent approach for identifying voters, while minimizing the possibility for disenfranchisement.
Recommendations of EAMRecommendations of EAM
9. Election authorities should continue their efforts to facilitate voting for the disabled, and all municipal authorities should implement the existing criteria for making polling stations accessible.
9. Election authorities should continue their efforts to facilitate voting for the disabled, and all municipal authorities should implement the existing criteria for making polling stations accessible.
Recommendations of EAMRecommendations of EAM
10. It is recommended that consideration be given to providing the legal right to appeal all election-related matters and election results to a competent court as the final authority on all election matters, in line with OSCE commitments and international good practice.
10. It is recommended that consideration be given to providing the legal right to appeal all election-related matters and election results to a competent court as the final authority on all election matters, in line with OSCE commitments and international good practice.
Recommendations of EAMRecommendations of EAM
11. Consideration could be given to setting specific expedited time limits for the adjudication of election-related complaints and appeals by all relevant authorities including courts, the NEC and Parliament, in order to be fully consistent with paragraph 5.10 of the Copenhagen Document.
11. Consideration could be given to setting specific expedited time limits for the adjudication of election-related complaints and appeals by all relevant authorities including courts, the NEC and Parliament, in order to be fully consistent with paragraph 5.10 of the Copenhagen Document.
