Limited election observation mission

Early parliamentary elections, 11 July 2021

Livestream: International Election Observation Mission, Sofia

Starts at 1.30pm CEST (2.30pm local time)

Following an invitation from the authorities of Bulgaria, and in accordance with its mandate, ODIHR has deployed an Election Observation Mission (EOM) to the 11 July 2021 early parliamentary elections.

Long-term Observation

The ODIHR Mission, headed by Tana de Zulueta, consists of 12 international experts based in Sofia. In addition, 14 long-term observers will be deployed throughout the country from 16 June.

The mission will assess the elections for their compliance with OSCE commitments and other international obligations and standards, as well as with national legislation. Observers will closely monitor all aspects of the election, including possible post-election developments. Specific aspects include the implementation of the amended legal framework, candidate registration, the campaign, election dispute resolution and election media coverage. They will also assess how prior ODIHR election related recommendations have being considered. As part of the observation, the ODIHR Mission will conduct comprehensive monitoring of the media.

Election day

ODIHR is planning to request the secondment of 200 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.

Cooperation with other partners

The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe are planning to deploy observer delegations for these elections.

The day after the elections, ODIHR, together with its parliamentary 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.