Election observation mission

Early Parliamentary Elections, 20 June 2021

International Election Observation Mission Press Conference, Yerevan, 21 June 2021

Below is a recording of the press conference livestream.

The mission calendar may be extended if ODIHR decides to observe a potential second round.

The feasibility of short-term observers (STO) deployment is subject to further assessment of the situation regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, including the existing epidemiological situation, travel and border restrictions across the OSCE region as well as applicable health regulations in the country.

Long Term Observation

The ODIHR EOM, headed by Eoghan Murphy, started its work in Armenia on 18 May. The EOM has a core team of eleven international staff at the head office in Yerevan, drawn from nine OSCE participating States. In addition, ODIHR has requested OSCE participating States to second 25 long-term observers who will be deployed throughout the country from 26 May.

The ODIHR EOM will assess the elections for compliance with OSCE commitments and other international obligations and standards for democratic elections, as well as with national legislation. Observers will closely monitor candidate registration, campaign activities, the work of the election administration and relevant governmental bodies, election-related legislation and its implementation, the media environment, and the resolution of election-related disputes.

Election Day

ODIHR is planning to request the secondment of 250 short-term observers from OSCE participating States for election day. The short-term observers will be deployed throughout the country in multinational teams of two to monitor the opening of polling stations, the voting, the counting of ballots, and the tabulation of results at all levels.

The day after the election, ODIHR, together with its partners, will issue a statement of preliminary findings and conclusions at a press conference. A final report on the observation of the entire electoral process will be issued approximately eight weeks after the end of the observation mission.