Parliamentary Elections, 13 October 2019

Limited Election Observation Mission press conference, Warsaw, 14 October 2019

Following an invitation to observe the 13 October 2019 parliamentary elections in Poland, based on the findings and conclusions of the Needs Assessment Mission deployed from 17 to 20 June 2019, and in accordance with its mandate, ODIHR has deployed a Limited Election Observation Mission (LEOM).

Long-term Observation

The ODIHR LEOM, headed by Jan Petersen, consists of 10 international experts based in Warsaw. In addition, 10 long-term observers will be deployed throughout the country from 17 September.

The mission will assess the election for its compliance with OSCE commitments and other international obligations and standards, as well as with national legislation. Observers will follow voter registration, candidate registration, campaign activities, the work of the election administration and relevant state bodies, implementation of the legislative framework, and the resolution of election-related disputes. As part of the observation, the LEOM will conduct a comprehensive monitoring of the media.

In line with ODIHR methodology, the ODIHR LEOM will not carry out systematic or comprehensive observation of the voting, counting and tabulation on election day. Mission members will, however, visit a small number of polling stations on election day.

The mission will publish an interim report in the course of its work. The day after the election, a statement of preliminary findings and conclusions will be issued at a press conference. ODIHR will issue a final report on the observation approximately two months after the end of the election process.

Previous Elections

ODIHR has previously observed parliamentary elections in Poland in 2007, 2011 and 2015.