ODIHR experts discuss electoral recommendations in Norway

A team of elections experts from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) met with electoral stakeholders in Norway from 16 to 18 April 2018 to present the final report of ODIHR’s election expert team for the September 2017 parliamentary elections.

The report’s findings and recommendations were presented to representatives of the Ministry of Local Government and Modernisation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Political Parties Act Committee, the Elections Act Committee, the Directorate of Elections and the Electoral Forum.

The recommendations focused on further improving election procedures and operations, including the management of the integrated electronic administration system, and enhancing the efficiency of campaign finance oversight. Recommendations from previous ODIHR election assessments not yet fully addressed were also discussed.

Representatives from the various bodies involved in the elections noted their ongoing review of the past elections, including the submission of constructive feedback, which will be considered within a multi-year electoral reform process aiming to address a range of issues, including ODIHR recommendations.

“Norway’s comprehensive and inclusive approach to following up on ODIHR’s electoral recommendations is commendable,” said Steven Martin, ODIHR Senior Adviser on New Voting Technologies. “ODIHR looks forward to the outcomes of this process as a means to enhancing the conduct of elections, and remains ready to support reform efforts.”

During the meetings the Norwegian authorities expressed interest in receiving ODIHR support in the form of expert advice and comparative examples of good practice related to topical electoral issues and, in the longer term, in considering requests for legal reviews of draft legislation.

All OSCE participating States have committed themselves to following up on ODIHR's election assessments and recommendations.