Experts discuss electoral security at ODIHR workshop in Warsaw

Enhancing the assessment of electoral security was the focus of a workshop organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in Warsaw on 3 July 2018.

The workshop brought together nine experts from civil society organizations involved in electoral issues and several international election experts to discuss ODIHR’s newest election-related publication, Guidelines for Public Security Providers in Elections, and to promote its use in election observation activities.

“While countries hold elections under different circumstances, a secure electoral environment is crucial to the overall integrity of an election,” said Steven Martin, ODIHR Senior Election Adviser. “Enhancing efforts and capacity to assess the framework and conduct of public security officials during an election can serve to strengthen regulations and practice in line with OSCE commitments and other international standards.”

The participants explored ODIHR’s approach to assessing various aspects of electoral security, reviewed the guidelines and related case studies and discussed the application of ODIHR’s observation methodology to electoral security issues in their own countries.

“We look forward to working with those stakeholders throughout Mongolia who will surely benefit from the guidelines, including civil society, media, the election administration and law enforcement agencies,” said Bayasgalan Genden, Senior Officer with the Ulaanbaatar Center for Policy Studies.

The workshop was part of ODIHR’s continued efforts to improve its methodology and increase professionalism in the observation of certain specialized aspects of elections, including through regular engagement with citizen observer organizations.