OSCE/ODIHR to assess presidential election in Romania

BUCHAREST, 28 October 2009 - The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) formally opened its limited election observation mission today for the 22 November presidential election in Romania.

ODIHR was invited by the Romanian authorities to observe the election.

The mission is led by Vadim Zhdanovich and consists of 11 international elections experts from nine OSCE participating States to be based in Bucharest. In addition, 14 long-term observers will be deployed to regional centres across the country.

The mission will assess the election for its compliance with OSCE commitments and other international standards, as well as with domestic legislation. The mission will analyze the legal framework, the campaign, the work of the election administration at all levels, the coverage of the election in the media and the complaints and appeals process.

The constitutional referendum, also to be held on 22 November, will only be assessed to the extent that it has an impact on the conduct of the presidential election.

In line with standard practice for limited election observation missions, the mission will not carry out a systematic or comprehensive observation of the voting, counting and tabulation on election day. Mission members will, however, visit a small number of polling stations across the country to follow procedures.

ODIHR will issue a preliminary statement of its findings and conclusions on the day after the election, as well as a final report approximately two months after the completion of the election process.