IV. RAPPORTEURS' REPORTS

Working Session 1: Democratic institutions.
Democratic elections; Follow-up to the 21-22 April 2005 Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting on Challenges of Election Technologies and Procedures; Democracy at the national, regional and local levels; Citizenship and political rights.

Mr. Chairman,

The first working Session of the 2005 HDIM dealt with the issue of Democratic Institutions. In particular, the topics covered in the Session were: Democratic elections; Follow-up to the 21-22 April 2005 Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting on Challenges of Election Technologies and Procedures; Democracy at the national, regional and local levels; Citizenship and political rights.

The tone for the Session was set by the Introducer. His intervention paved the way to a extremely interesting and vivid exchange of ideas and a flow of recommendations. To give an example of the interest demonstrated by participants on the topic, there were more than 34 interventions. Therefore I will try to summarise the main issues adressed from the floor without getting into too many details for lack of time and space.

Let me first say that there were numerous references to the intense involvement of ODIHR in election observation over the last year. Support for one Partner for Cooperation and outreach activities were also highlighted. On this respect, it was said that ODIHR is ready to further share its experience on election observation. Regarding the Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting on Challenges of Election Technologies and Procedures on April this year, some comments were made as to the concrete follow up. On this regard, discussions on the so- called Copenhagen plus are part of an ongoing process. Topics like election observation methodology or the possible need to add additional commitments to the existing ones were raised by several participants. Many delegations while being ready to engage in discussions about a possible Copenhagen plus stressed that they will not accept a reopening of existing commitments. Regarding ODIHR'S methodology some participants expressed their satisfaction with it as it stands while others called for its revision.

The role of domestic observers vs. international observers was also a subject of many interventions. That was also the case when it came to the issue of geographical and linguistic balance, or lack thereof, in the composition of the election observation missions. On this regard, it was said that the election diversification fund acquires a particular importance. Some delegations also stressed the need that equal standards on observing elections should be applied to all participating States.

Many participants agreed that fulfilling our commitments in the field of elections requires the political will and involvement of all participating States. On this particular issue, many interventions were focused on concrete examples of recent and incoming electoral processes. In some instances there were positive remarks on the progress made by some participating States.

On the contrary, in many other cases the persistence of shortcomings and irregularities in the implementation of electoral commitments were pointed out.

As to concrete examples of the shortcomings many participants made reference to the following ones, among others:

Inadequacies in existing electoral legislation and in the workings of Electoral Committees; denial of equal representation to entire sections of the electorate or, as in one case, to an entire city; lack of transparency and accountability throughout the electoral process; refusal of registration or de- registration of candidates; media bias and irregular use of State resources to back one particular option.

The persistence of these shortcomings over the years was referred to by some participants. In order to correct this state of affairs, most of them insisted on the need to strengthen the follow up mechanisms to ODDIHR's recommendations following election observation missions.

Finally, Mr Chairman, some participants mentioned that elections, important as they are, are not entirely sufficient to ensure a sustainable democracy. Much also depends on the strength of democratic institutions, the respect of human rights, the rule of law, tolerance, good governance, media freedom and justice.

Let me now make a reference to the recommendations stemming from the discussions summarised above.

Recommendations to the OSCE participating states:

  • To reaffirm that democratic elections are an OSCE fundamental commitment.
  • To fully implement ODIHR Election Observation Mission recommendations and to further enhance their co-operation before, during and after elections.
  • To strengthen the follow up to ODIHR's recommendations, possibly via de Permanent Council.
  • To explore the possibility of a Copenhagen plus with a view to complement existing commitments. This would not mean reopening existing commitments or distracting States from implementing them.
  • To elaborate a Copenhagen plus document in order to improve effectiveness in implementing existing commitments and to enhance election observation missions. To that effect to continue consultations with a view to concrete results at the Liubliana Ministerial Council.
  • To amend, when needed, existing electoral legislation in line with international and OSCE standards.
  • To allow that voters can decide themselves whether to cast their vote directly at the polling station, by postal vote, at the voting machine in the polling station or even by Internet.
  • To correct, when needed, the composition and workings of Election Commissions.
  • To grant ODIHR the means and resources necessary to pursue its activities in election observation.
  • To improve the status and rights of domestic observers.
  • To improve the dialogue between participating States and domestic NGOs on follow up to recommendations.
  • To guarantee, when necessary, the electoral rights of disenfranchised citizens and to take to that effect the appropiate action also via the OSCE decision making bodies.
  • To further examine the concept of "democratic governance" and to consider the means to examine the lessons learned from best practises in this field.

Recommendations to the OSCE, its institutions and field operations:

  • To explore means to strengthen and ameliorate, when and if necessary, the methodology of election observation and the composition and workings of election observation missions.
  • The Permanent Council should monitor the implementation of the ODIHR recommendations.
  • To examine the possibility of adding additional commitments to the existing ones in the field of elections, with a view to further increase voter's confidence, transparency, accountability and the extension of universal and equal suffrage. The uses of new technologies can also be examined.
  • To ensure that equal standards and equal attention should be applied to all participating States in observing their elections.
  • Election Observation Missions should discuss their statements with the Central Election Commissions before issuing them. Reporting on elections must be professional and balanced.