OSCE/ODIHR presents electoral recommendations in Spain

A team from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) visited Madrid from 26 to 29 November 2012 to present the final report of the Election Assessment Mission for last year’s early parliamentary elections in Spain.

The report’s findings and recommendations were presented to officials from Spain’s Foreign Ministry, Parliament, Central Electoral Commission, Interior Ministry and other government agencies, as well as representatives of political parties.

The report’s recommendations include the need to address certain amendments to the electoral law and to further improve electoral practices. The amendments of concern include the possibility to revoke the mandate of elected officials before their tenure expires.

The report also highlights certain legal provisions that do not fully uphold the equality of the vote and provides recommendations on increasing the transparency of campaign financing, on promoting greater participation of women and on introducing legal provisions for full access of observers to all stages of the electoral process.

The team emphasized that ODIHR was ready to assist in implementing its recommendations, upon the request of the authorities of Spain. All OSCE participating States have committed themselves to promptly follow up on ODIHR’s election assessments and recommendations.