Due to the imposition of emergency rule, the mission began as an Election Assessment Team, became a Limited Election Observation Mission from 27 December, and an Election Observation Mission (EOM) on 4 January.
The elections were held under a framework and environment that provided significant challenges to the conduct of democratic elections. However, on election day, voting was assessed as positive on the whole, even if some disorder and procedural irregularities were noted. Michael Gahler, Member of the European Parliament, was Chief Observer.
The observers were deployed throughout the country. They met government and electoral officials, candidates and political parties, civil society representatives and the media.