OSCE/ODIHR opens election observation mission in Moldova

CHISINAU, 26 June 2009 - The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened an election observation mission to monitor the early parliamentary elections in Moldova scheduled for 29 July. 

"The challenge will be to remedy the shortcomings noted during the last elections in April within the tight timeframe available," said Ambassador Boris Frlec, a former foreign minister of Slovenia and head of the observation mission.

He added that "all participants involved in the election, including the authorities, the political parties, the media, and civil society, are responsible to ensure a democratic electoral process in which the voters can have confidence."

The mission consists of 14 international experts based in Chisinau, as well as up to 20 long-term observers expected to arrive by 30 June.

In addition, ODIHR has requested 200 short-term observers from OSCE participating States. The short-term observers will be deployed throughout the country in multinational teams of two to monitor the opening of polling stations, the voting, the counting of ballots and the tabulation of results.

The mission will assess the election for its compliance with OSCE commitments and other international standards, as well as national legislation. Observers 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.

The day after the elections, the election observation mission 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 final report on the 5 April 2009 parliamentary elections is available on the OSCE website at: //www.osce.org/documents/odihr/2009/06/38185_en.pdf

The OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission and the OSCE Mission to Moldova operate separately under their specific mandates.