Perpetuation of a culture of impunity by failing to 1. Election observation hold individuals accountable for election-law violations; and The ODIHR was established in 1991 as the Office for
Lack of sufficient will to rectify identified short- Free Elections; thus, its election observation mandate has always been at the forefront of its activities. In the comings. early years after its establishment, however, the ODIHR While recognizing that substantive and organizational could deploy only one or two experts per election, who challenges to the implementation of OSCE election-re- focused mainly on election-day findings. The expanded lated commitments can occur, as time progresses, lack mandate received by the ODIHR in 1994 for election of experience or an inadequate legal and administra- observation before, during, and after election day was tive framework are becoming increasingly invalid ar- recognition that an informed assessment of an elec- guments to explain election irregularities in OSCE par- toral process cannot be formed on the basis of elec- ticipating States. tion-day observations only. In some cases, observers witnessed very serious chal- Since 1996, the ODIHR has implemented its methodol- lenges to those commitments, including premeditated ogy for long-term election observation and has ob- actions. In reflecting on election processes in some OSCE served more than 150 elections or referenda. During participating States in 2004, this may be a good moment this period, ODIHR election observation missions have to recall a concern identified at the 1996 OSCE Lisbon served not only to assess whether elections were held Summit: “Among the acute problems within the human in line with OSCE commitments but have also provided dimension, the continuing violations of human rights, a common and factual reference point, which, in the such as … electoral fraud … continue to endanger sta- case of disputed elections, has provided an important bility in the OSCE region.” At that time, OSCE partici- stabilizing factor. pating States committed themselves to continue to address these problems. A strengthened commitment, in
Election assessment missions the same spirit as the Lisbon Summit, is necessary in view Following visits to France, Turkey, and the United of issues that arose in some elections in 2004. States in 2002, and to the United Kingdom in 2003, the ODIHR made a number of assessment visits in 2004, including to parliamentary elections in Spain and the presidential election in Slovakia. The ODIHR also de- Activities ployed an enhanced assessment mission to the presidential and parliamentary elections in Romania. While observation might be the most visible aspect of broad, integrated work plan that also includes techni-
Support to OSCE field missions in assessing elections and referenda cal-assistance projects and legislative review. Activities In instances where the ODIHR did not deploy an ob- the ODIHR's election mandate, it is just one part of a servation or assessment mission, it sent election ex- in 2004 concentrated on the following areas: pert support teams to OSCE field missions to enhance their capacity to follow an electoral process and to
Election observation; offer support as they report on events through their
Technical assistance; regular and established channels. In 2004, such teams
Methodological developments; and were deployed to elections in Adjara (Georgia), Kyr-
Follow-up. gyzstan, and Azerbaijan. 12