OSCE/ODIHR opens observation mission for early presidential election in Uzbekistan

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 2 November, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) formally opened an election observation mission for the 4 December early presidential election in Uzbekistan. The mission’s deployment follows an official invitation from the Uzbek authorities.

The mission is led by Peter Tejler and consists of a core team of 15 experts based in Tashkent and 20 long-term observers to be deployed in teams of two across the country. In addition, ODIHR will request 250 short-term observers to monitor proceedings on election day. The experts and observers are drawn from 21 countries.

The mission will assess the early presidential election for compliance with OSCE commitments and other international standards and obligations for democratic elections, as well as with domestic legislation. Observers will follow campaign activities, the work of the election administration and relevant state bodies, implementation of the legislative framework and the resolution of election disputes. As part of the observation, the mission will also monitor the media coverage of the campaign.

In the course of its observation, the mission will meet with representatives of relevant authorities, political parties and candidates, as well as with representatives of civil society, the media and the international community.

On election day, observers will monitor the opening of polling stations, voting, the counting of ballots and the tabulation of results. A statement of preliminary findings and conclusions will be issued on the day after the election. A final report on the observation of the entire election process will be published approximately two months after the completion of the election process.

OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission and the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan operate separately, under their respective mandates.