ODIHR offers to engage in anticipated electoral reform process in Ireland

In a report published on 23 February 2011, ODIHR offered to assist in the electoral reform process that is currently being discussed in Ireland. This was an element raised by political parties and state authorities during a recent needs assessment mission to the country, ahead of early parliamentary elections scheduled for 25 February.

In its report, the mission noted a high level of confidence in the electoral process and the election administration. Although interlocutors raised certain concerns about campaign financing and voter registers, there was little expectation that these might translate into fraudulent activities.

Given the findings and due to the short timeframe before the upcoming elections, ODIHR will not send observers for this election. ODIHR previously deployed an election assessment mission to parliamentary elections in 2007 and the recommendations made then remain valid.