ODIHR recommends deployment of election assessment mission to Estonia

In advance of the parliamentary elections in Estonia planned for 6 March, ODIHR conducted a needs assessment mission to the country on 10-13 January.
 
In order to assess the pre-election environment and the preparations for the elections, the mission met with officials from the Foreign Ministry, the National Electoral Committee, the Chancellor of Justice, and the Broadcasting Council, as well as with representatives of political parties, the media, and non-governmental organizations.
 
As no concerns were expressed in relation to the conduct of election day itself, the mission recommended the deployment of an election assessment mission to look into specific issues such as the security and secrecy of Internet voting, the legal framework for political party and campaign financing regulation, as well as the participation of persons belonging to national minorities in the elections. Interim visits are envisaged for experts in new voting technologies to observe the preparations for Internet voting.