We, a group of like-minded domestic election observers, believe that transparency, accountability and credibility are the most important cornerstones of democratic elections. They provide for establishing public confidence, including confidence of electoral competitors. Our work in terms of scrutiny of, and support to, electoral processes significantly contributes to the promotion of democracy and the protection of basic human rights.

This compendium aims to assist EU Election Observation Missions and other interested stakeholders in clearly identifying the international standards to use in assessing the conduct of elections. To facilitate such assessment, a practical guide has been included as an annex. It is the Commission’s expectation that EU Election Observation Missions will make use of this new tool to assess the conduct of elections in line with international standards and ensure coherence among EU Election Observatio

The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures…

Every citizen shall have the right and the opportunity, without any of the distinctions mentioned in article 2 and without unreasonable restrictions to vote and to be elected at genuine periodic elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret ballot, guaranteeing the free expression of the will of the electors…

States Parties undertake to prohibit and to eliminate racial discrimination in all its forms and to guarantee the right of everyone, without distinction as to race, colour, or national or ethnic origin, to equality before the law, notably in the enjoyment of political rights, in particular the right to participate in elections-to vote and to stand for election-on the basis of universal and equal suffrage, to take part in the Government as well as in the conduct of public affairs at any level and

States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women in the political and public life of the country and, in particular, shall ensure to women, on equal terms with men, the right to vote in all elections and public referenda and to be eligible for election to all publicly elected bodies…

To ensure that persons with disabilities can effectively and fully participate in political and public life on an equal basis with others, directly or through freely chosen representatives, including the right and opportunity for persons with disabilities to vote and be elected, inter alia, by: (i) Ensuring that voting procedures, facilities and materials are appropriate, accessible and easy to understand and use…

Discussing international standards for democratic governance (A Preliminary Research Report)

A practical and comprehensive set of guidelines and background material for governments, broadcasters, political parties, election monitoring and citizens' groups, and all those concerned with the vital issue of free and fair elections.

Regulation (EC) No 2004/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 November 2003 on the regulations governing political parties at European level and the rules regarding their funding.

Council Directive 93/109/EC of 6 December 1993 laying down detailed arrangements for the exercise of the right to vote and stand as a candidate in elections to the European Parliament for citizens of the Union residing in a Member State of which they are not nationals

Council Directive 94/80/EC of 19 December 1994 laying down detailed arrangements for the exercise of the right to vote and to stand as a candidate in municipal elections by citizens of the Union residing in a Member State of which they are not nationals.

The development co-operation policy of the European Community is centred on human beings and is closely linked to the enjoyment of their fundamental rights and freedoms as well as on the recognition and application of democratic principles, the consolidation of the rule of law and good governance.

A Selection of International Human Rights Standards For The OSCE Region, including freedom of voting and elections. Compiled by the International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights.

Recommendation No. R (99) 15 of the Committee of ministers to member states on measures concerning media coverage of election campaigns. Adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 9 September 1999, at the 678th meeting of the Ministers' Deputies.

Convention on the Participation of Foreigners in Public Life at Local Level. Adopted in Strasbourg, 5.II.1992.

Code of good practice in electoral matters: guidelines adopted by the Venice Commission at its 51st Plenary Session (Venice, 5-6 July 2002) and explanatory report.

Adopted by the Council for Democratic Elections at its 17th meeting (Venice, 8-9 June 2006) and the Venice Commission at its 67th plenary session (Venice, 9-10 June 2006).

The articles were prepared by experts of Ukrainian and Slovak NGOs: Committee of voters of Ukraine, Obcianske Oko, MEMO’98. The publication is aimed to contribute to democratic and transparent election process and improvement of election legislation in Ukraine. The project was carried out with support of Slovak Aid.

The full version is available in PDF format in Ukrainian, and three articles in Word format in English (ZIP)

Resolution 1459 (2005) of Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe on Abolition of restrictions on the right to vote

International Human Rights Standards For The OSCE Region, Compiled by the International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights (IHF)

European Convention on the Recognition of the Legal Personality of International Non-Governmental Organizations. Adopted in Strasbourg, 24 April 1986.

Fundamental Principles on the Status of NGOs in Europe, issued May 2003

This compilation includes OSCE commitments of relevance to the topic of freedom of assembly and association. These include commitmentson human rights defenders; non-governmental organisations; freedom of expression, free media and information (including the right to act upon one’s right); freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief; workers’ rights/conditions of work; national minorities; rule of law; independence of the judiciary; right to a fair trial; right to effective remedies...

This handbook provides basic guidance to all OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Missions (EOM) on monitoring women’s participation in electoral processes. It has been developed as part of the ODIHR’s effort to enhance equality between women and men by mainstreaming gender issues into all areas of its work.

Guidelines for Reviewing a Legal Framework for Elections

Guidelines to Assist National Minority Participation in the Electoral Process

Existing Commitments for Democratic Elections in OSCE Participating States

This handbook provides a thorough overview of the ODIHR’s observation methodology and serves as a reference work for all members of an EOM.

ENEMO, together with a number of influential international organizations such as the UN, OSCE/ODIHR, PACE, IFES, NDI and others, signed the Declaration of principles for international election observation.

The Declaration was signed in New York in October 2005.