Local Elections, 25 May and 8 June 2003
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Mission at a glance
- Head of Mission: Amb. Michael Wygant (USA)
- 16 core team experts
- 100 short-term observers
Following an invitation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Moldova, ODIHR established an Election Observation Mission in the Republic of Moldova on 25 April to monitor the 25 May local elections.
Long-term observation
The mission, headed by Amb. Michael Wygant (United States), consists of 16 international election experts from 12 OSCE participating States. In addition to a head office in Chisinau, experts have been deployed to major towns in Moldova.
Before, during and after election day, the mission will assess the entire electoral process against national legislation and international standards for democratic elections agreed to by all OSCE participating States.
Observers will closely monitor the entire electoral process, including campaign activities, media coverage, administrative preparations and the resolution of election-related disputes.
Election day
ODIHR plans to deploy some 100 short-term observers shortly before election day. The short-term observers will be deployed in teams of two across the country to monitor the opening of polling stations, voting, counting of ballots and the tabulation of results at all levels.
The day after the election, the 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
ODIHR has observed a number of elections in Moldova, including the 2001 parliamentary election, the 1998 parliamentary election, and the 1996 presidential election.