ANNUAL REPORT 2003 Elections Elections The OSCE commitments agreed upon in Copenhagen in approach, and it has served as a model for other interna- 1990 emphasize the central role of elections in securing tional organizations. More recently, the methodology has the citizen's right to participate in the government of his evolved to take account of national minorities and gender- or her country. This principle was first enshrined in the related issues and is being further developed as necessary to Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the maintain the ODIHR’s role as Europe's leading agency in the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. field of election observation. In addition, the Copenhagen Document states that the pres- The very presence of observers can help build confidence in an election process ence of observers, both foreign and domestic, can enhance the integrity of the electoral process. Election observation has thus become an effective and invaluable service that is provided among OSCE participating States in support of democratic transition and universal human rights. The very presence of observers can help build confidence in an election process and encourage popular participation. In 2003, the ODIHR again demonstrated its commitment to As a result of the Budapest Summit in 1994, OSCE partici- enhance the integrity of electoral processes in the region pating States mandated the ODIHR to undertake long-term through the conduct of 12 election observation missions, assessment of electoral processes before, during, and after involving the deployment of some 3,400 observers. The election day. In response, the ODIHR developed an election objectives of ODIHR election observation activities are observation methodology, which it started to implement in twofold: (1) to assess an election process according to 1996, that provides an in-depth insight into all elements OSCE election-related commitments; and (2) to offer rec- necessary for a democratic electoral process, including the ommendations, when necessary, to align the electoral legislative framework, the administrative preparations, the process with OSCE commitments. political campaign, and the media. This election observation methodology has become widely recognized for its systematic, comprehensive, and verifiable The main issues
Democratic elections: Through its methodology for long-term election observation, the ODIHR has reported significant improvements in the conduct of elections in a number of countries in Central, Eastern, and South-Eastern Europe. However, further progress is needed throughout much of the former Soviet Union. It has also become clear that election assessments can be valuable not only in emerging democracies but also in more-established democracies. 7