Mid-term Congressional Elections, 7 November 2006

On the invitation of the US authorities, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights deployed an Election Assessment Mission (EAM) to the 7 November mid-term Congressional Elections in the United States.

The EAM assessed the elections with regard to OSCE commitments, international standards and best practices for holding democratic elections, as well as national legislation, including the 2002 Help America Vote Act.

The EAM, led by Giovanni Kessler from Italy, former Deputy President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, included 16 election analysts from 13 OSCE participating States.

The EAM stayed in the United States from 23 October to 10 November. After a briefing in Washington DC, the EAM members were deployed across the United States to meet the relevant State electoral authorities and political parties/candidates participating in the elections.

Election analysts followed campaign activities, 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.

Although the EAM members visited some polling stations on election day, no systematic observation of polling station procedures took place. A final report with findings and recommendations will be issued approximately 6 weeks after the elections.

The OSCE/ODIHR was present in the United States during the 2004 presidential elections and 2002 elections to Congress.