ODIHR seminar in Vienna focuses on election observation and election campaigns

The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) hosted the fourth annual Electoral Seminar, with a focus on election observation, fundamental freedoms and election campaigns, on 30 October 2018 in Vienna. The event brought together some 100 representatives of OSCE delegations, election management bodies, international organizations and citizen observer groups. 

“This seminar provided a valuable platform to exchange views on the current trends and challenges in the area of democratic elections, focusing on observation of electoral campaigns. One of the issues we addressed is the trend of campaigns shifting more and more to the online domain, as we explore possible ways to observe such campaigns,” said ODIHR Director Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir. “Here we need to be vigilant, to make sure that underrepresented groups are protected adequately against hate speech, discrimination and incitement to violence during the electoral campaign.”

ODIHR carries out election observation in OSCE participating States to assess the extent to which elections respect fundamental freedoms and are characterized by equality, universality, political pluralism, confidence, transparency and accountability. ODIHR has observed more than 350 elections to date. The Office also supports authorities in their efforts to improve electoral processes and to follow up on recommendations by ODIHR election observation missions, by reviewing election-related legislation, providing technical expertise and supporting the activities of citizen observer groups.