Croatia, Parliamentary Elections, 4 December 2011: Needs Assessment Mission Report

In anticipation of an invitation to observe the upcoming parliamentary elections, expected to be held on 4 December 2011, and in accordance with its mandate, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) undertook a Needs Assessment Mission (NAM) from 21 to 23 September. The NAM was composed of Beata Martin-Rozumilowicz, OSCE/ODIHR Head of Election Department, and Richard Lappin, OSCE/ODIHR Election Adviser.

The purpose of the mission was to assess the pre-election environment and the preparations for the elections. Based on this assessment, the NAM should recommend whether to deploy an OSCE/ODIHR election-related activity for the forthcoming elections, and if so, what type of activity best meets the identified needs. Meetings were held with officials from state institutions, the election administration, and the judiciary, as well as with representatives of political parties, the media, and civil society...