OSCE supports seminar for international election observers in Kazakhstan

An OSCE-supported seminar for international observers aimed to enhance participants’ knowledge of the rights and obligations of election observers took place in Nur-Sultan on 18 November 2021. The OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan organized the event in co-operation with the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan (CEC) and supported by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).

The seminar focused on such topics as legal and practical aspects of election observation in Georgia, Moldova, Uzbekistan and other countries. Particular attention was given to recommendations from the report of the latest OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission on building confidence in the electoral process and registration system improvement.

The seminar, held in a blended format, brought together some 50 government officials and representatives of non-governmental organizations who have served or may serve as international observers and some 30 representatives of regional election commissions. Participants learned about the experience of observing elections in different countries, difficulties the observers faced during the missions, methodology and standards of election observations as well as the novelties introduced by the COVID-19 pandemic in the election observing system. Presentations were followed by an interactive session during which participants consulted with experts on technical matters and discussed case-by-case scenarios and following actions.

The seminar is part of the Programme Office’s continuous efforts to enhance transparency and accountability of electoral procedures and strengthen democratic institutions in line with OSCE principles and commitments.