EU election observation programme

10.4.2019

Question for written answer P-001749-19
to the Commission
Rule 130
Brian Hayes (PPE)

The EU election observation programme relies on national focus points to nominate both short-term and long-term election observers. Some national focus points operate rosters, while others seek candidates for individual missions as they arise; some demand fluent English while for others a good working knowledge is sufficient; some require existing observers to reapply while others do not; and some seek observers with a high level of education and experience, while others have no minimum standards for potential observers.

1. Can the Commission outline the legal relationship it has with national focus points, in terms of requiring quality observers to be recruited and nominated?

2. Does the Commission have any views on whether national rosters are appropriate, and if so how long a roster should last before new roster members are recruited and whether existing members should have to reapply?

3. Can the Commission recruit observers for missions whom their national focus point has refused to nominate, in the interests of good administration?