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OAS Designates February 4th as "Electoral Observation Day"

The Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS) today approved a resolution designating February 4th as "OAS Electoral Observation Day," in commemoration of 50 years since the sending of the first such mission, which traveled to Costa Rica in 1962.

The Permanent Representative of Costa Rica, Edgar Ugalde Álvarez, proposed the resolution saying that "the knowledge, experience and improvements that the OAS has acquired over these 50 years, in which it has carried out 199 observation missions of different events, should continue to be taken advantage of by the countries of the region in the unending process of strengthening democracy. "

Ambassador Ugalde recalled that, in the 1962 elections in his country, "two candidates - Dr. Rafael Angel Calderon Guardia and the journalist Otilio Ulate Blanco – faced off against each other, just as they had done in 1948." He added that in 1962, "the third candidate was Francisco José Orlich Bolmarcich, who was the great third figure, who faced two former Presidents of the Republic." "It was an aggressive campaign, which raised fears for many, because they remembered the events of 1948, and hence the importance of the election observation mission of the OAS," said the representative of Costa Rica.

In that context, he said, the OAS mission arrived "to offer its valuable collaboration, taking the first step in the long journey of 50 years" in line with the purpose of the organization to "promote and consolidate representative democracy, with due respect for the principle of non-intervention.”

The resolution approved - which was co-sponsored by Colombia, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Peru and Chile - in addition to designating February 4 as the "OAS Electoral Observation Day," also congratulated the General Secretariat of the organization for "the important work done during these 50 years."

The OAS, through its Department for Electoral Cooperation and Observation (DECO) of the Secretariat for Political Affairs, develops and maintains a permanent, professional service of electoral observation and technical assistance for the OAS member countries, based on its ongoing efforts to improve and strengthen procedures and practices in this field. It also conducts analysis and applied research activities and organizes discussion forums designed to help continuously improve the region’s electoral institutions and processes, foster democratic elections, and strengthen citizen participation.

Electoral Observation Missions are a tool of political cooperation for the OAS that contributes to strengthening electoral processes in the hemisphere, cornerstones of modern democracies. Electoral observation in the Americas has evolved in parallel with the strengthening of democratic governments since the decade of the 60s, until becoming the professional and standardized exercises that they are today.

In recent years, the OAS has made efforts to institutionalize election observation, increasing its professional and technical capacity. With this aim, DECO has developed and published a methodology for observing Election Day, based on international instruments and standards. It has systematized the knowledge gained through the identification and sharing of best practices in the various electoral processes in the region. This has also allowed for the expansion of the cooperation of the OAS with different Member States in enhancing their own systems.

During the consideration of the Resolution, the representatives of the Dominican Republic, Bolivia, Chile, Panama, Peru, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Nicaragua, Haiti, Mexico, Guatemala, Venezuela, Ecuador, Paraguay, Canada, Colombia, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic participated.

A gallery of photos of the event is available here.

The video of the event will available here.

For more information, please visit the OAS Website at www.oas.org.

Reference: E-373/12