OSCE
Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE
Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the OSCE
Election Observation Mission to the USA, November 2004
Preliminary Post-Election Statement
Dr. Barbara Haering
Special Coordinator appointed by the Chairman-in-Office
Press Conference, Washington, D.C. November 4, 2004
Speaking Notes
Ladies and Gentlemen
Thank you for attending our Press Conference. Three weeks ago when we introduced ourselves to you here in Washington, I underlined three key elements of our Election Observation Mission:
1. The credibility of the OSCE Election Observation is based on the fact, that we foster the commitments that have been agreed to by all OSCE participating States in the Copenhagen Document from 1990.
2. Our Election Observation Mission has taken place on the invitation of the US Government.
3. Our goal and responsibility was to give a balanced picture of the election procedures in the USA.
We thereby come to the following assessment:
• The 2 November elections in the USA mostly met of the commitments agreed to by the 55 OSCE participating States in the Copenhagen Document of 1990.
• The presidential elections were conducted in a highly competitive environment. The leading candidates enjoyed the full benefits of media. However, the Election Observation Mission took notice of the fact that only a very small proportion of the elections for the 434 congressional districts are generally considered to be competitive. In some cases this may be attributed to the way congressional boundaries are drawn.
• There was an exceptional public interest not only in the presidential candidates and their campaign issues but also with regard to the election process itself. Civil society played an active role, contributing substantially towards greater awareness of election issues; thus promoting voter interest and participation. The high turnout indicates the importance of this election for the electorate and the strong democratic tradition in this country.
• Allegations of electoral fraud and voter suppression, primarily among minorities, were widely reported and presented to the EOM in the pre-election period. The EOM is concerned that the widespread nature of these allegations may undermine confidence in the electoral process.
• On election-day OSCE observers were granted access to polling stations in a number of states, sometimes only in specific counties. However, in others states, access was not possible or strictly limited. This as a result of state laws not including international observers in the statutory categories of persons permitted in polling places, or because lack of reference to international observers in state law was deemed to be an obstacle to their presence. The fact, that the OSCE had been invited by the US State Department to carry out this Election Observation Mission could not solve these problems. Congress and individual states should therefore consider introducing legal provisions allowing unimpeded access to all stages of the election process for international observers who have been invited to observe the elections by the US Government. Similar provisions should extend to domestic non-partisan observers. This would further enhance transparency and bring state law fully in line with the United States’ international commitments.
• Although it was not possible for our observers to access polling stations in all states, it appears that the voting and the processing of ballots generally were carried out in an orderly manner. However, significant delays at poling stations are likely to deter voters from voting and may even restrict the right to vote. It is clearly desirable that steps are taken to reduce delays in future elections.
• The Election Observation Mission took notice that the USA are going through a crucial phase of election reform. For the first time a federal law (HAVA 2002) is providing nationwide rules and regulations for election procedures. Unfortunately, the requirements of HAVA have not been fully implemented yet. Moreover, we believe, US election reforms will have to go beyond HAVA.
In my capacity as Special Coordinator of the Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE let me end by underlining the importance of the fact that the US Government has invited the OSCE to carry out this Election Observation Mission. It is a sign of the credibility of the USA within the OSCE. And: Carrying out this Election Observation Mission in keeping with normal practice in the OSCE and in accordance with agreements made by the 55 OSCE-participating countries, enhances the credibility of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
November 4, 2004/BH