Observing Elections

One of the central ways the OAS has strengthened and promoted democracy has been through its electoral observation missions. The Organization first sent an electoral observation mission to a member country in 1962, and continued to send small missions at the request of countries holding elections. In 1990 the Unit for the Promotion of Democracy (UPD) was established to provide support to the member states to strengthen their democratic institutions and procedures. Since then, electoral observation missions have become a key focus of the UPD, which has observed more than 60 elections in South and Central America and the Caribbean.  

The OAS role as electoral observer was particularly critical in the case of Peru. Former Guatemalan Foreign Minister Eduardo Stein headed an OAS observation mission during Peru's 2000 elections, when then-President Alberto Fujimori was re-elected to a third term. After the first round of voting, Stein called the process “far from what could be considered free or fair” and the OAS Secretary General withdrew the observers. Subsequently the OAS General Assembly, at Peru’s invitation, sent a high-level mission to explore ways to help that country strengthen democracy. The OAS then led a process of dialogue on democratic reform in Peru among political parties, civil society, human rights groups and government representatives. After Fujimori left office in November 2000, the OAS turned its efforts toward the process of observing new presidential elections, which resulted in Alejandro Toledo winning the presidency on June 3, 2001. Two days later, Stein reported to the OAS General Assembly that “the elections were carried out in a peaceful manner, with complete respect to constitutional order and in concordance with the highest international electoral standards.”

How the Process Works 

During the last decade the OAS has sent observation missions—at the invitation of the countries involved—to more than half of its member states. These missions help increase confidence in the electoral systems and procedures of a member nation. By observing an electoral process before, during and after election day—including aspects such as election administration, the political campaign and freedom of speech—electoral observation missions become partners in strengthening democracy and improving the transparency of political systems. 

The specific objectives of the missions have varied, depending on each country’s circumstances. Some observation missions consist of just a few technical experts; others may assemble a large team and fan out across the country. OAS electoral missions are present during the principal stages of the electoral process and may monitor voter registration. In the days or weeks leading up to the election, observers meet with leaders of the political parties, candidates, government officials and ordinary citizens to assess the entire process. They observe the voting on Election Day and follow the ballot count and tabulation to the final outcome. OAS electoral observation missions usually remain in the country in the post-election phase until major outstanding disputes have been resolved. 

Most recently, the OAS observed general elections in Honduras in November 2001 and was on hand in Nicaragua on two separate occasions: the November 2001 general elections and the March 2002 electoral contest in that country's Atlantic Coast Region.  

UPD ELECTORAL OBSERVATION MISSIONS

(by country)

Belize—1997 (observation of voter re-registration)

Bolivia—1997 (presidential, legislative elections)

Colombia—1997 (local, legislative); 1994 (second round presidential)

Costa Rica—1990 (general)

Dominican Republic—2000 (presidential); 1998 (congressional, municipal); 1996 (national);
1994 (national, provincial and municipal); 1990 (general)

Ecuador—1998 (general); 1996 (general)

El Salvador—1997 (legislative, municipal); 1991 (municipal)

Grenada—1999 (general)

Guatemala—1999 (referendum, general elections, 1st and 2nd rounds); 1995 (general, second round presidential 1/7/96)

Guyana—2001 (general elections); 1997 (national, regional)

Haiti—2000 (parliamentary, municipal, local); 1997 (legislative, municipal); 1996 (parliamentary, municipal); 1995 (general, presidential); 1991 (presidential)

Honduras—2001 (general, presidential); 1997 (general; 1993 (general presidential, congressional); 1989 (general)

Nicaragua—2002 (Atlantic coast regional elections); 2001 (general, presidential); 2000 (municipal); 1998 (Atlantic coast regional elections); 1996 (general);

1994 (regional, Atlantic coast); 1990 (presidential, legislative, municipal)

Panama—1999 (general); 1998 (referendum); 1994 (presidential)

Paraguay—2000 (vice-presidential); 1998 (general); 1993 (presidential); 1992 (pre-election observation mission); 1991 (municipal; constituent convention elections)

Peru—2001(presidential, parliamentary); 2000 (presidential); 1998 (municipal); 1995 (general); 1993 (municipal, constitutional referendum); 1992 (constituent congressional)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines—2001 (parliamentary)

Suriname—2000 (general); 1996 (general); 1991 (general)

Venezuela—2000 (general); 1999 (constituent assembly, constitutional referendum);
1998 (legislative, presidential); 1993 (presidential, congressional, state). 

For further information: www.upd.oas.org

Last updated: March 2002