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International Cooperation ProgramInternational Election Monitoring |
coordinator: Wojciech Tworkowski
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In accordance with the decisions of OSCE states as expressed in art. 8 of the Copenhagen Document from 1990, OSCE states are permanently invited to monitor elections in other member states. This invitation applies to government missions as well as those organized by interested independent organizations. Monitoring missions are an important stimulus for the development of democracy, increasing transparency and reinforcing the role of civil society in a given state. The presence of international observers not only assures an independent assessment of the electoral process but it reminds governments of the need to observe OSCE rules and of their obligation to implement democratic norms. It also sends an important signal to the citizens, increasing awareness of their civil rights and building a conviction that the international community is interested in the state of democracy in their country. We have been involved in sending election monitors for many years. In 1996-98 in cooperation with OSCE and the Embassy of the USA (which provided funds for that purpose) we carried out first recruitments of polling supervisors. In 2000-2002, we recruited observers for the elections in the Balkans at the request of the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In 2004, the Foundation was engaged in readying the Polish Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, in cooperation with the students from the Free Ukraine Initiative. Recruitment of observers for the elections in Belarus and UkraineIn 2006 in cooperation with Polish Foreign Ministry we organized a recruitment process for OSCE mission observers for presidential elections in Belarus. Out of 500 applicants 40 people were selected to take part in the mission. 60 more from the ranking list were invited to participate in the OSCE mission for monitoring parliamentary election in Ukraine. Monitoring of presidential elections in TajikistanIn the framework of International Election Monitoring we organized an election monitoring mission for presidential elections in Tajikistan. The project was supported by a grant from Polish Foreign Ministry development program. Monitoring was conducted in two cities: Dushanbe and Khojand and their vicinities by 20 short and 2 long term observers. We hope that the mission, which constitutes a Polish contribution to the fulfillment of OSCE obligations (mutual monitoring of development of democracy in member states), will serve as a model for organization of similar missions in the future. Recruitment of the observers was conducted in September 2006. First, two members of coordinating team who fulfill simultaneously function of long-term observers were selected from among 20 candidates with extensive experience in monitoring missions. Long-term coordinators worked with the Polish Embassy in Tashkent on the logistics of the operation in the field. They were also responsible for coordination of the work of 20 short term observers selected in the second stage of the recruitment out of 80 applicants. The recruitment of short-term observers was conducted in a form an open competition advertised on an NGO portal. The candidates had to prove i.a. practical knowledge of post-Soviet region, involvement in voluntary activity in international cooperation, democratization and human rights, proficiency in Russian or Tajik language. After interviews by a committee of experts 17 observers were chosen. They were joined by 3 representatives of Foreign Ministry and Batory Foundation. In the recruitment process we decided to introduce a 30% quota for candidates who lack experience in election monitoring – we hope it will allow to expand a pool of Polish observers and international volunteers ready to work in the East. Polish Observation Mission for Tajikistan Presidential Elections. Final Assessment [PDF 243 KB], in Russian [PDF 100 KB] Preliminary Assessment [PDF 148 KB], in Russian [PDF 238 KB] Copyright © Fundacja Batorego
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