OSCE/ODIHR opens observation mission in Moldova

WARSAW/CHISINAU, 26 April 2007 - The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) has deployed an election observation mission for the 3 June local elections in Moldova.

This follows an invitation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration and the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Moldova.

Ambassador Dieter Boden heads the mission, which consists of 13 international staff from ten OSCE participating States. Twelve long-term observers are expected to arrive by 30 April and will be deployed throughout the country.

The observers will assess the local elections for their compliance with principles for democratic electoral processes, including commitments agreed to by all 56 OSCE participating States, as well as national legislation.

The mission will monitor campaign activities, media coverage, the legislative framework and its implementation, the media situation, the work of the election administration and relevant government bodies, and the resolution of election disputes.

OSCE States will be requested to send 100 short-term observers to monitor the opening of polling stations, the voting, the counting of ballots, and the tabulation of results.

On election day, observers will issue a statement of preliminary findings and conclusions. A final report on the observation of the entire electoral process will be issued approximately eight weeks after the end of the observation mission.

The OSCE/ODIHR has observed a number of elections in Moldova, including parliamentary elections in 2005, 2001 and 1998, the presidential election in 1996 and local elections in 2003.

The OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission and the OSCE Mission to Moldova, headed by Ambassador Louis O'Neill, operate separately under their specific mandates.