Lab Debate: Beyond Election Day - Best practices for follow-up to EU Election Observation Missions

Election Observation Missions (EOMs) are a highly visible demonstration of the European Union (EU)’s commitment to supporting democratisation and promoting respect for human rights across the world. EU EOMs’ immediate goals are to strengthen confidence in the elections, deter fraud, and provide an informed and factual assessment of an election process. Their longer-term objectives aim at improving the overall election framework and the context in which elections are held, strengthening the independence and accountability of state institutions and enhancing the resilience of partner countries through supporting good governance. The recommendations issued by EOMs can be instrumental in improving future elections and, more broadly, can be a crucial element in the deepening of democracy.

The EU is committed to following up EU and OSCE/ODIHR EOM recommendations systematically and has for several years undertaken a wide range of actions to advance and promote these recommendations as well as those made by EOMs organised by our partners. The second Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy (2015-2019) requires consolidating best practices for leveraging EU and OSCE/ODHIR EOM recommendations in EU and EU Member States political dialogues and democracy support activities.