CDL-EL(2004)026 - Comments on the Draft Declaration of Principles and Draft Code for International Election Observation and Draft Pledge to accompany the Code of Conduct for International Election Observation

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Related documents :

[02/11/2005] CDL-AD(2005)036 Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation and Code of Conduct for International Election Observers and Pledge to accompany the Code of Conduct for International Election Observers prepared by The United Nations Electoral Assistance Division (UNEAD), The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI), and The Carter Center (TCC) (7 July 2005) endorsed by the Council for Democratic Elections at its 14th meeting (Venice, 20 October 2005) and the Venice Commission at its 64th plenary session (Venice, 21-22 October 2005)

[02/11/2005] CDL-AD(2005)036 Déclaration de principe pour l'observation internationale d'élections et Code de conduite des observateurs électoraux internationaux et Serment devant accompagner le Code de conduite des observateurs électoraux internationaux préparés par La Division électorale d’aide des Nations Unies (UNEAD), L’Institut démocratique national pour les affaires internationales (NDI), et Le Centre Carter (TCC) (7 juillet 2005) Entérinés par le Conseil des élections démocratiques lors de sa 14e réunion (Venise, 20 octobre 2005) et la Commission de Venise lors de sa 64e Session plénière (Venise, 21-22 octobre 2005)

[04/10/2005] CDL-EL(2005)042 Draft Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation and Draft Code of Conduct for International Election Observers and Draft Pledge to Accompany the Code of Conduct for International Election Observer prepared by The United Nations Electoral Assistance Division (UNEAD), The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI),and The Carter Center (TCC) (Draft Date: 7 July 2005)

[19/11/2004] CDL-EL(2004)025 Draft Declaration of Principles and Draft Code for International Election Observation and Draft Pledge to Accompany the Code of Conduct for International Election Observer prepared by UNEAD – NDI – The Carter Center (Draft Date: 19 June 2004)

Strasbourg, 19 November 2004

Study no. 325 / 2004

CDL-EL(2004)026
Engl. only

EUROPEAN COMMISSION FOR DEMOCRACY THROUGH LAW

(VENICE COMMISSION)

COMMENTS

ON THE DRAFT DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES

AND DRAFT CODE

FOR INTERNATIONAL ELECTION OBSERVATION

AND

DRAFT PLEDGE TO ACCOMPANY THE CODE OF CONDUCT

FOR INTERNATIONAL ELECTION OBSERVATION

Mr Owen MASTERS (Expert, United Kingdom)

The above document is a concise and valuable guide to International Election Observation, and is worthy of support. There is a small number of minor amendments which could be considered, and these are as follows :

- Page 1. First Paragraph – Penultimate sentence – I would suggest a rewriting as follows : “Genuine democratic elections and Referenda are the vehicle through which the people …….”

- Page 5. Paragraph 16 – Following the first sentence, an additional sentence could be added as follows : “In addition political party representatives who may be organising observation teams, should be indentified and consulted”.

- Page 6. Paragraph 20 – additional information should be included in the briefing on “security, and health matters, where appropriate”.

I believe the draft code for International Election Observers contains all the elements for successful observation. I would wish to draw attention to the requirement for all International Election Observers to attend all briefings and trainings provided in an international election observation mission.