OSCE/ODIHR presents recommendations from final report on parliamentary elections in Czech Republic

A team of election experts from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) presented the final report of the ODIHR election assessment mission for the October 2017 parliamentary elections in the Czech Republic during their visits to Prague and Brno from 20 to 23 November 2018.

The report’s findings and recommendations were discussed during meetings with representatives of the Interior Ministry, both houses of the Parliament, the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Administrative Court, the broadcasting regulator, the office overseeing political party financing and the Ombudsperson.

The ODIHR team expanded on potential areas for further co-operation and concrete steps that can be taken by various electoral stakeholders to address the recommendations.

The experts drew attention to the recommendations aimed at strengthening the administrative capacity of the party financing oversight office, enhancing the transparency and accountability of voter registration, reinforcing the complaints and appeals process and promoting the participation of women as candidates.

“The confidence of Czech voters and other electoral stakeholders in the electoral process is remarkable. But at the same time it clouds issues that are addressed in our report. A meaningful follow-up aiming at a proper analysis of our recommendations is crucially important for ensuring better elections in the future,” said Matyas Eorsi, head of the 2017 ODIHR election assessment mission, during the visit. “ODIHR stands ready to offer its continued support in implementing the recommendations, including through the review of amendments to electoral legislation and advice on good practices and matters of technical implementation.”

The ODIHR team emphasized the importance of addressing recommendations made in its reports in an inclusive and open manner, well ahead of the next elections. All OSCE participating States have committed themselves to promptly following up on ODIHR election assessments and recommendations.