Fields of work

Elections

Recognizing that democratic elections form the basis for legitimate government, the OSCE observes elections in its participating States. It also provides technical assistance to improve the legislative and administrative framework for elections, upon a State’s request.

Guide / manual / handbook

Handbook on the Follow-up of Electoral Recommendations

6 June 2016

Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe

Many factors can affect security and stability, often across borders, population segments or the OSCE’s three dimensions.

Free and fair elections are considered the backbone of functioning democratic societies. When the option of choosing a new leadership is curtailed, impeded or unduly influenced, democracy itself begins to erode. The OSCE considers that electoral processes need to respect fundamental freedoms and be characterized by equality, universality, political pluralism, confidence, transparency and accountability.

[…] among those elements of justice which are essential to the full expression of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all human beings are the following: […] free elections that will be held at reasonable intervals by secret ballot or by equivalent free voting procedure, under conditions which ensure in practice the free expression of the opinion of the electors in the choice of their representatives.

Document of the Copenhagen Meeting of the Conference on the Human Dimension of the CSCE, 1990

Building on our comprehensive and co-operative approach to security, we work on strategies to tackle the issue head-on.

Observing elections is only one way how we help the participating States implement their commitments to uphold and strengthen democratic principles, but it is by far the OSCE’s most well-known activity. It is our main tool to assess the extent to which electoral processes respect fundamental freedoms and are characterized by equality, universality, political pluralism, confidence, transparency and accountability. Our institutions also review electoral legislation, identify potential shortcomings and provide advice on how to improve laws or fill gaps in the States' election-related legislation.

Our institutions, field operations and offices bring to the task expert skills and knowledge to develop tailor-made solutions for each challenge.

Our institutions and offices

Our flagship institution in the area of elections is the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, which runs dozens of election observation missions throughout the OSCE region every year, and also supports the participating States' efforts to improve their electoral processes and legislation. The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly regularly sends parliamentarians on short-term election observation missions.

Homepage

OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights

The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) provides support, assistance and expertise to participating States and civil society to promote democracy, rule of law, human rights and tolerance and non-discrimination. ODIHR observes elections, reviews legislation and advises governments on how to develop and sustain democratic institutions. The Office conducts training programmes for government and law-enforcement officials and non-governmental organizations on how to uphold, promote and monitor human rights.

A group of Parliamentarians looking forward at a podium and raising voting cards into the air.

External Link

Parliamentary Assembly

Comprehensive security through inter-parliamentary dialogue

http//www.oscepa.org

Our operations on the ground

Several field operations carry out elections-related activities, including training for election commission members, media and police, as well as voter education initiatives. Other activities include advising election commissions, assisting with the reform of electoral codes, and strengthening the participation of women in elections.

The field operations do not, however, take part in election observation missions in their countries of operation.