Limited election observation mission

Parliamentary Elections, 4 April 2021

Following an invitation from the authorities of Bulgaria, and in accordance with its mandate, ODIHR has deployed a Limited Election Observation Mission (LEOM) to the 4 April 2021 parliamentary elections.

Long-term Observation

The ODIHR LEOM, headed by Corien Jonker, consists of 11 international experts based in Sofia. In addition, 12 long-term observers will be deployed throughout the country from 10 March.

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:

implementation of the amended legal framework
candidate registration
election dispute resolution
election media coverage

They will also assess how prior ODIHR election related recommendations have being considered.

As part of the observation, the ODIHR LEOM will conduct comprehensive monitoring of the media.

Election day

In line with ODIHR methodology for LEOMs, the mission will visit a limited number of polling stations on election day, while systematic observation of voting, counting or tabulation of results on election day is not envisaged. The day after the elections, ODIHR, together with its 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.

Co-operation

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.