Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights - Elections

Following an invitation transmitted by Ambassador Stephan M. Minikes, the Head of the U.S. Delegation to the OSCE, and in accordance with its mandate, the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) is deploying an Election Observation Mission of a targeted nature for the 2 November 2004 elections in the United States of America.

Long-term observation
 
The ODIHR conducted a Needs Assessment Mission (NAM) from 7 to10 September 2004 in order to assess the conditions and preparations for the elections and to advise on the level of ODIHR involvement in these elections. The NAM recommended that an EOM of a targeted nature be deployed at the beginning of October.

The Election Observation Mission, headed by Ms. Rita Süssmuth (Germany), will include 10 international staff based at the Washington head office. In addition, the OSCE/ODIHR called upon the OSCE participating States to second 25 longer-term observers to be deployed throughout a sampling of states.

Ms. Barbara Haering, Vice-President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, has been appointed by the OSCE Chairman-in-Office as Special Co-ordinator for the short-term observers.

The OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission will be of a targeted nature and will follow the election process primarily at the federal level, with regard to the presidential election and the implementation of the Help America Vote Act. The EOM may also choose to comment on aspects of Congressional races and other relevant electoral issues. A range of OSCE election-related commitments will be considered during the course of OSCE/ODIHR activities.

Election day

The OSCE/ODIHR plans to deploy 75 short-term observers shortly before election day. The short-term observers will be deployed in teams of two across the United States to monitor the opening of polling stations, the voting, the counting of ballots and the tabulation of results at all levels. After election day, the Election Observation Mission will issue a statement of preliminary findings and conclusions. A comprehensive final report will be released about a month after the completion of the election process.

Previous elections

The ODIHR deployed an assessment mission for the 5 November 2002 general elections in the United States.