Electoral Observation Missions

Electoral Observation Missions (EOMS)

Data

Status

Active

Start

1962

Implementation

Social Networks

@OAS_Official

DECO OEA

OEA Elecciones

Since 1962, the OAS has deployed 337 Electoral Observation Missions (EOMs) in 28 countries across the hemisphere. The EOMs have evolved alongside the region's democracies. The implementation of methodologies allows for the analysis of key aspects of the electoral cycle, such as women's political participation in the electoral process, the electoral participation of Indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples, political financing systems, electoral justice systems, direct democracy mechanisms, and other topics.

The most recently deployed EOM: 2025 Referendum and Popular Consultation in Ecuador.

Objectives

Support the strengthening and development of institutions and of national and subnational electoral processes by presenting recommendations to the observed States through preliminary reports and a final report from each OAS/EOM.
Follow-up on recommendations issued.
Verify compliance with election laws and regulations in place in the host country and the development of the electoral process in light of the instruments and norms adopted by OAS member states, and international standards.
Formulate timely and impartial statements addressed to the public, presenting their conclusions and recommendations in order to improve processes related to elections. The Mission will send copies of its communications and reports to the electoral authorities and other relevant national entities.
Observe the role and actions of the various participants in the electoral process.
Increase public confidence in electoral and democratic processes.
Offer governmental and electoral authorities, as well as citizens in general, technical, evidence-based analysis regarding the impartiality, transparency, and reliability of the electoral process.
Prepare preliminary reports and a final report on good practices and irregularities observed during the elections, including recommendations to help improve the electoral system.
Present to the Permanent Council, through the General Secretariat, reports on their activities and what has been observed.
Inform citizens about any matter regarding the electoral process that they consider relevant through statements and communications during the different stages of the electoral process.
Serve as a channel to seek and build consensus and/or agreements in situations of conflict between different participants in the electoral process, if required and requested by authorities and the stakeholders involved in the process.
Actively seek cooperation with host country electoral authorities and must not obstruct the election process.
Act objectively, impartially and transparently, with the appropriate technical capacity, in accordance with the principles and norms of the OAS, and the highest international standards.
Provide recommendations during the electoral process and for future electoral processes, while not interfering in and thus hindering such processes.

Activities

Deployment of Electoral Observation Missions (EOM) to member states that request them.
Strengthening the tools and capacity of the EOMs.

More Results

Results

337 EOMs deployed in 28 OAS member states, with more than 14,500 international observers, since 1962.

12 Electoral Observation Missions deployed in 2024 in BOL, BRA, CRI, DOM, ECU, SLV, MEX, PAN, USA.

481 observers and experts deployed in 2024. 51% women, 49% men.

448 recommendations presented in 2024 in preliminary reports of the Electoral Observation Missions.

Recommendations presented on women's political participation, organization, technology, electoral justice, communication, among others.

Beneficiary Countries

Antigua and Barbuda

Belize

Bolivia

Brazil

Colombia

Costa Rica

Dominica

Dominican Republic

Ecuador

El Salvador

Grenada

Guatemala

Guyana

Haiti

Honduras

Jamaica

Mexico

Nicaragua

Panama

Paraguay

Peru

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Lucia

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Suriname

The Bahamas

United States of America

Venezuela

More Publications

Publications

English Español

March, 2025

2024 Year in Review of the Department of Electoral Cooperation and Observation (DECO)

This document summarizes the work carried out in 2024 by the Department of Electoral Cooperation and Observation (DECO)

English Español Français

April, 2025

Observing Women’s Political Participation: A Manual for OAS Electoral Observation Missions

Document for the detailed analysis of the effective participation of women in electoral processes.

English Español

April, 2025

Political-Electoral Financing Systems in the Americas: A Perspective from OAS Electoral Observation Missions (2017-2021)

Analysis on the recommendations of the OAS Electoral Observation Missions from 2017 to 2021 regarding political-electoral financing systems

English Español

April, 2025

Electoral Justice Systems in the Americas: A Perspective from OAS Electoral Observation Missions (2017-2021)

Analysis on the recommendations of the OAS Electoral Observation Missions from 2017 to 2021 regarding electoral justice

English Español

April, 2025

Women’s Political Participation in the Americas: A Perspective from OAS Electoral Observation Missions (2017-2021)

Analysis on the recommendations of the OAS Electoral Observation Missions from 2017 to 2021 regarding women's political participation

English Español

February, 2022

Observing Direct Democracy Mechanisms: A Manual for OAS Electoral Observation Missions

Specialized methodology for the observation of direct democracy mechanisms

English Español

March, 2019

Observing Electoral Justice Systems: A Manual for OAS Electoral Observation Missions

Based on international standards in the field, this resource will allow for the formulation of observations and recommendations that will help to perfect electoral dispute resolution mechanisms

English Español

January, 2012

Observing Political-Electoral Financial Systems: A Manual for OAS Electoral Observation Missions

Manual is to provide concepts, procedures, and tools for the rigorous, systematic, and reliable assessment, considering a gender perspective, of political-electoral financing

English Español

January, 2015

Observing the Electoral Participation of Indigenous Peoples and Afrodescendants: a Manual for OAS Electoral Observation Missions

Methodology for electoral observation to present technical criteria to analyze compliance of OAS States with the binding obligations to guarantee the rights of indigenous peoples and Afrodescendants