Election Support: World key players discuss achievements and challenges

On 28-29 September 2004, the European Commission would host a conference in Brussels on EU election support with a view to assessing achievements and issuing recommendations for future election assistance and observation. Among others, Commission President, Romano Prodi, the European Parliament President, Josep Borrell, Commissioner for External Relations, Chris Patten, and Vice-President of Guatemala, Eduardo Stein Barrilla, would address more than 160 participants from key international, governmental and non-governmental organisations involved in election support across the world. The conference would be an opportunity to discuss a number of important issues, including elections in conflict and post-conflict situations, the role of civil society and regional organisations in elections and the impact of election support.

The European Union has been active in election observation since 1993 (although it also provided technical assistance to electoral processes as part of its general aid programmes prior to this date). In 2000 the Commission developed a standard methodology for election observation. Since then and with a total budget of €39 million, the European Union has deployed 28 Election Observation Missions in 19 countries to cover 34 elections. Over 1,100 short term observers as well as more than 550 long term observers supported by over 200 core staff have been deployed during this period.