Presidential Election, 10 and 24 November 2019

Following an official invitation to observe the presidential election in Romania, scheduled for 10 November 2019, based on the findings and conclusions of the Needs Assessment Mission deployed from 16 to 18 July 2019, and in accordance with its mandate, ODIHR has deployed an Election Assessment Mission (EAM) for this election.

The ODIHR EAM, headed by Ambassador Christian Strohal (Austria), began its work in Romania on 29 October. The EAM includes six international staff, drawn from five OSCE participating States.

The mission will assess the election process in terms of its compliance with OSCE commitments and other international obligations and standards for democratic elections, as well as national legislation. Observers will, in particular, look into the legal framework for the election, the administration of election, conduct of the campaign and campaign finance rules, as well as media environment and media coverage of the election.

In line with ODIHR methodology, the ODIHR EAM does not carry out systematic or comprehensive observation of the voting, counting and tabulation on election day. Mission members will, however, visit a small number of polling stations on election day. In the event of second round, the mission will remain in country and follow proceedings.

A final report will be issued approximately eight weeks after the end of the electoral process.

Previous Elections

ODIHR has previously observed five elections in Romania since 1996, most recently the 2012 parliamentary elections.