OSCE/ODIHR final report on parliamentary elections in Norway recommends enhancing election management procedures and better regulating campaign finance provisions

The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) released its final report on Norway’s 11 September parliamentary elections on 4 December 2017.

The report notes that the election administration operated efficiently and enjoyed high public confidence. Last-minute regulations aimed at enhancing the security of counting and tabulation processes were also managed effectively by local election officials.  

The report recommends that Norway introduce measures to better facilitate advance voting procedures and to enable visually impaired voters to independently select candidates. OSCE/ODIHR found that equality of choice and opportunity was not fully safeguarded under existing voting methods. It also recommends that if modifications are introduced to electoral operations then these should be applied consistently.

The report notes that although party and campaign finance is well regulated, there is still potential for large donors to exercise undue influence on the electoral process. The report therefore recommends that further regulation and disclosures, on monetary and in-kind contributions to party members and candidates, be considered.