OSCE/ODIHR to advise on Afghan elections

WARSAW, 14 September 2010 - A team of election experts sent by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) formally began its work in Kabul today.

The eight-person team will review the large number of already existing recommendations in light of the conduct of the 18 September National Assembly (Wolesi Jirga) elections and will highlight priorities for long-term electoral reform.

The experts will focus on the legal framework, election administration, voter registration and delimitation of electoral boundaries. Matters relating to the sustainability of the existing electoral framework and accountability of stakeholders to the electoral process will also be reviewed.

A concise report on recommendations for long-term electoral reform, including the improvement of election procedures and practices will be presented to the government of Afghanistan, other electoral stakeholders and OSCE participating States several weeks after the completion of the electoral process.

The team will be based in Kabul and will co-ordinate closely with Afghanistan's authorities and representatives of the international community.

The experts were sent following an invitation by Afghanistan's Foreign Ministry and Independent Election Commission, as well as a decision by the OSCE's Permanent Council of 29 July 2010.

ODIHR previously sent election support teams to Afghanistan for elections in 2004, 2005 and 2009.

Afghanistan is not a participating State of the OSCE but one of the OSCE's Asian Partners for Co-operation.