Presidential Election, 16 and 30 March 2019

Following an official invitation to observe the presidential election in Slovak Republic, scheduled for 16 March 2019, based on the findings and conclusions of the Needs Assessment Mission deployed from 3 to 5 December 2018, and in accordance with its mandate, ODIHR has deployed an Election Assessment Mission (EAM) for this election.

The ODIHR EAM, headed by Ambassador Alexandre Keltchewsky (France), began its work in Slovak Republic on 6 March. The EAM includes six international staff, drawn from six OSCE participating States.

The mission will assess the election process in terms of its compliance with OSCE commitments and other international obligations and standards for democratic elections, as well as national legislation. Observers will, in particular, look into the legal framework for the election, the administration of election, conduct of the campaign and campaign finance rules, as well as media environment and media coverage of the election.

In line with ODIHR methodology, the ODIHR EAM does 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. In the event of second round, the mission will remain in country and follow proceedings.

A final report will be issued approximately eight weeks after the end of the electoral process.

Previous Elections

ODIHR has previously observed seven elections in Slovak Republic, most recently the 2016 parliamentary elections.