Overview

An effective democratic system needs regular, inclusive, transparent and credible elections. This is why the election observation delegations of the European Parliament are a fundamental aspect of its democracy support efforts.

On 7 February 2019, the Conference of Presidents established the Democracy Support and Election Coordination Group (DEG), which is in charge of all aspects related to the EP election observation activities.

The EP delegations' added value in election observation missions

The Parliament's participation in an EU/International observation mission adds values to the mission as it:

• Boosts the political standing and visibility of the long-term observation missions.

• Enhances the legitimacy and political weight of the observation mission. Because MEPs all have first-hand experience of running for office and being elected, they are in a unique position to assess the elections.

• Facilitates and enhances contacts with local parliamentarians and representatives of civil society. This, in turn, improves the exchange of information.

• Allows the EU to speak with one voice and provides an effective way for MEPs to observe and comment on an election.

• Provides cross-party political support for the mission's conclusions, which helps the EU develop follow-up activities.

Elections are events, but also processes.

The electoral process:

· begins when elections are called or scheduled,

· includes the days when voters cast their ballot, and

· continues after the vote.

When the losing candidates do not concede, or when there are challenges to the result, the post-electoral period can stretch on for months or more.

This entire process tests democracy, for better and for worse. Social tensions may flare, revealing - but also sometimes calming - underlying issues.

The European Parliament, with other EU and international partners, works to support its partners throughout the cycle.

Diversity of forms

Just as there is a diversity of democratic processes in the EU, different non-EU states approach elections through their own traditions.

The role of international observers is not to change these electoral processes so that they resemble those of the EU or other countries. Instead, they verify that citizens' desires are expressed and reflected, that candidates can compete on equal grounds, and that the whole process responds to local requirements.

Electronic voting, paper ballots or even marbles and drums; computer tabulation or handwritten tally marks: different systems may all work well.

The pre-electoral period is when voters register, voter lists are established, candidates are chosen or eliminated, campaigns are financed and run, and the media focus their attention on the race.

Each of these activities makes a difference for the democratic process.

International observers have to consider all these aspects when evaluating the elections. To monitor them, long-term observers are deployed a few months ahead of Election Day throughout the country.

In recent years, the European Parliament and other international actors have focused on how to prevent pre-electoral violence.

Observing Election Day is one of the principal ways the European Parliament supports democracy. EP Election Observation Missions (EOMs) are guided by the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation and the EU Election Observation Methodology, which has the following principles: consistent approach to election observation, comprehensive and long term observation, increased coverage on Election Day, impartial and independent assessment, non-interference in the election process, cooperation with the host country, openness in findings and visibility in work.

Because MEPs are the EU's only directly elected representatives, their contribution is essential. With personal experience of campaigns, issues of financing and the work of representing citizens, MEPs bring political legitimacy to observation missions.

Over more than three decades, the European Parliament has observed several hundred elections. Every year, MEPs travel to as many as a dozen countries across the world.

Political transitions, appeals through the court system, protests and unrest: all are elements of the post-electoral period.

Some protests and challenges point to flaws in the democratic process, though not all. A strong and independent judicial system is especially important at this time.

During the post-election period, recommendations that observers made during the elections must be followed up, and in a consistent and sustainable way.

The European Parliament has developed the Parliamentary Electoral Dialogues to ensure this happens.