Iceland, Referendum, 29 August 2026

Following an invitation to observe the 2026 referendum on the resumption of European Union membership negotiations, based on the findings and conclusions of the Needs Assessment Mission, and in accordance with its mandate, ODIHR has deployed a Referendum Expert Team (RET) for this referendum.

The ODIHR RET comprises two international staff drawn from two OSCE participating States.

The expert team will assess the referendum 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 focus on the conduct and regulation of the campaign and campaign finance, in particular online, institutional preparedness and effectiveness in identifying and responding to disinformation and potential foreign and domestic interference, as well as the and the media environment and its regulation.

In line with ODIHR methodology, the mission will visit a limited number of polling stations on referendum day and systematic observation of voting, counting or tabulation of results on referendum day is not envisaged.

A final report will be issued some months after the end of the electoral process.

Mission at a Glance

Team of two experts from two OSCE participating States based in Reykjavik.

Mission schedule

13 August: Arrival of the expert team
29 August: Referendum day
2 September: Departure of the expert team