Role of an EUEOM

The purpose of EU EOMs around the world is to provide support for the development of the country's democratic institutions and procedures, and to assist partner countries in their objective to hold elections of a high standard. In this context the EU EOM conducts a comprehensive analysis of the electoral process and provides an impartial and informed assessment of the elections to strengthen the confidence of voters to participate freely.

An observation mission assesses all aspects of the electoral process, including the delimitation of constituencies; the registration of voters and candidates; the training of election staff; voter education; media coverage, the campaign and the preparations for election day, as well as the appeals process.

It also makes an assessment of the constitutional and electoral framework. On election day observers visit polling stations in order to observe the opening, voting, the counting and the aggregation of results. Its fundamental principles are set out in a Communication from the European Commission on EU election assistance and observation:

"International election observation is based on the principles of full coverage, impartiality, transparency and professionalism. Its ultimate objective is to become superfluous by entrenching democracy deep within each nation through development of national capacities. Its main goals are the legitimisation of an electoral process, where appropriate, and the enhancement of public confidence in the electoral process, to deter fraud, to strengthen respect for human rights, and to contribute to the resolution of conflict."

Excerpt from: Communication from the European Commission on EU election assistance and observation. Brussels, 11.April.2000, COM(2000), 191 final.