Parliamentary elections, 15 October 2023

Following an invitation to observe the 15 October 2023 parliamentary elections in Poland, based on the findings and conclusions of the Needs Assessment Mission deployed from 18 to 24 May, and in accordance with its mandate, ODIHR has deployed a Limited Election Observation Mission (LEOM).

Long-term Observation

The ODIHR LEOM, headed by Douglas Wake, consists of 11 international experts based in Warsaw. In addition, 20 long-term observers will be deployed throughout the country from 9 September.

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 follow voter registration, candidate registration, campaign activities, the work of the election administration and relevant state bodies, implementation of the legislative framework, political and campaign finance 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.

A final report on the observation of the entire electoral process will be issued some months after the end of the observation mission.

Previous Elections

ODIHR has observed five previous elections in Poland, most recently the 2020 presidential election.