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Commonwealth Secretariat press release

Commonwealth to Host International Meeting on Election Observation Principles

30 May 2006

Representatives of governments and international organisations will discuss the implementation of a set of principles for election observation when they meet at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London on 31 May and 1 June 2006. The Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation and the Code of Conduct for International Election Observers were launched at a meeting at the United Nations in New York in October last year. 

On Wednesday 31 May delegates will concentrate on how governments and donor organisations can support international election observation and ensure the best 'fit' with their own democracy assistance activities. Among the issues to be discussed will be how recommendations made by election observers can be followed up.

The 1 June meeting will focus on key challenges to the integrity and effectiveness of international election observation. Participants will look at how observers can take into account constituency de-limitation, voter registration and the increasing use of electronic technology in the organisation of elections.

Speaking on the eve of the meeting, Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon said: "Election observation should be undertaken in line with the highest standards of professionalism and integrity. That's why the Commonwealth - which has sent observers to 51 elections since 1990 - is backing these principles and hosting the meeting."  

The forum aims to build on and broaden the support already expressed for the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation and the Code of Conduct for International Election Observers, which have been endorsed by 25 intergovernmental and international non-governmental organisations.

The meeting is organised by the Commonwealth Secretariat, the United Nations Electoral Assistance Division, the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and The Carter Center.

Participants over the two days will include representatives of the African Union, European Commission, Organisation of American States, OSCE Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, United Nations Development Programme, US Agency for International Development and the British, Swiss, Irish, New Zealand and Japanese governments.

 

Note to Editors:

The London meeting is the first of a number which are intended to ensure that the principles are implemented and that the follow-up to the adoption of the Principles and the Code is as effective as possible.

 The organisations which have endorsed the Declaration of Principles and the Code of Conduct include the African Union, Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL), Association of Central and Eastern European Election Officials (ACEEEO), The Carter Center, Center for Electoral Promotion and Assistance (CAPEL), Commonwealth Secretariat, Council of European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission), Council of Europe - Parliamentary Assembly (PACE), Electoral Institute of Southern Africa (EISA), European Commission, European Network of Election Monitoring Organizations (ENEMO), Electoral Reform International Services (ERIS), IFES, International IDEA, Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), International Republican Institute (IRI), National Democratic Institute (NDI), Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, Organisation of American States (OAS), Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR, Pacific Islands, Australia & New Zealand Electoral Administrators' Association (PIANZEA), Pacific Island Forum, Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC-PF), United Nations Secretariat, United States Association of Former Members of Congress (USAFMC).

For media enquiries please contact Minelle Fernandez, Communications and Public Affairs Division on +44 (0)2077476383.

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