OSCE/ODIHR sends team of experts for Netherlands parliamentary elections

WARSAW, 13 November 2006 - The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) deployed an Election Assessment Mission to the Netherlands today for the 22 November elections to the Lower Chamber (Tweede Kamer) of Parliament.

The mission, led by Julian Peel Yates (United Kingdom) will include 8 election and legal experts.

The purpose of the mission will be to assess and report on the overall framework for the conduct of elections in the Netherlands with regard to OSCE commitments for holding democratic elections. The mission will meet relevant governmental authorities, in particular with the Electoral Council, as well as with candidates, political parties, civil society and the media. Electronic voting systems as used in the Netherlands will also be of interest.

The OSCE/ODIHR does not intend to carry out a systematic or comprehensive observation of the voting, counting and tabulation on election day, but the team of experts does plan to visit several polling stations across the country to follow procedures on election day.

This is the first time the OSCE/ODIHR has deployed a mission to assess elections in the Netherlands. The deployment follows an invitation from the Dutch government.