E-Learning Course for Election Observers

ODIHR has developed a web-based learning course for election observers, which is built upon an earlier version. The course is designed to assist OSCE participating States in training their potential election observers. Accessible at www.odihrobserver.org, the course is open to anyone free of charge, interested in learning about ODIHR’s election observation methodology.

The course covers broad methodological issues, short-term observation and long-term observation of elections. Participants take a short quiz at the end of each of the seven modules and receive a certificate after completing the course.

The first five modules follow the structure of the previous version, and include lessons on the OSCE commitments and other international standards related to elections, the principles and purpose of election observation, the structure of election observation missions, the day-to-day activities of short-term observers and the observers’ code of conduct.

The updated course features two new modules focusing on the work of long-term observers: Module 6 covers the observation duties and activities of long-term observers in the run-up to election-day, including establishing contacts with key interlocutors, holding successful meetings with them, and reporting back to mission’s core team, while Module 7 contains lessons on the preparation for the arrival of short-term observers in the field and the role of long-term observers on election-day.

The aim of the course is to further enhance the preparation and professionalism of election observers, while contributing to greater transparency and understanding of ODIHR’s election observation methodology. The previous e-learning course for Short-term Observers has significantly contributed to the achievement of these goals, with more than 7,500 enrolled users from 135 countries (including 51 OSCE participating States) and some 1,500 awarded certificates. If you have successfully completed the previous version of the e-learning course, you can submit your old certificate and proceed to the two new modules.

The course is available in English and Russian. However, the Russian-language course is available primarily for the purpose of familiarization with ODIHR methodology and participants of the Russian-language version do not receive certificates.

The updated version of the course was developed under an extra-budgetary programme made possible by the contributions of OSCE participating States and in line with ODIHR’s mandate to support the national training efforts of the OSCE participating States in the field of election observation.

Further details about the course and technical information can be found below (EN, RU), and users can log in to the course here.

For further information and assistance about the course, users can contact ODIHR at support@odihrobserver.org.