Presidential Election, 4 December 2016

OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission press conference

Mission at a glance

Head of Mission: Ambassador Peter Tejler (Sweden)

15 core team experts from 10 participating States, based in Tashkent

20 long-term observers to be deployed throughout the country

250 short-term observers to be requested from participating States

Mission schedule

02 November: Opening press conference
08 November: Deployment of long-term observers

01 December: Deployment of short-term observers
04 December: Election day
05 December: Press conference on preliminary findings and conclusions

07 December: Departure of short-term observers
10 December: Departure of long-term observers
15 December: Departure of the core team

Following an official invitation from the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and based on the findings and conclusions of the OSCE/ODIHR Needs Assessment Mission, the OSCE/ODIHR has deployed an Election Observation Mission (EOM) to the 4 December early presidential election.

Long-term observation

The OSCE/ODIHR EOM, headed by Ambassador Peter Tejler, consists of 15 international experts based in Tashkent. In addition, 20 long-term observers will be deployed throughout the country from 8 November.

The OSCE/ODIHR EOM will assess the early presidential election for compliance with OSCE commitments, other international obligations and standards for democratic elections, and with national legislation. Observers will closely monitor campaign activities, the work of the election administration and relevant governmental bodies, election-related legislation and its implementation, the media environment, and the resolution of election-related disputes.

Election day

The OSCE/ODIHR has requested 250 short-term observers to be deployed immediately prior to the 4 December election. 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 day after the elections, ODIHR will issue a statement of preliminary findings and conclusions at a press conference. A final report on the observation of the entire electoral process will be issued approximately eight weeks after the end of the observation mission.

Previous elections

The OSCE/ODIHR has observed six elections since 1999, most recently the 2015 presidential election.