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Developing Standards for Democratic Elections

The Center played a key role — with the U. N. Electoral Assistance Division and the National Democratic Institute — in building consensus on a common set of international principles for election observation. The principles provide important guidelines for best practices for the growing field of election observation, thereby helping to protect the integrity of democratic elections and advancing democratic transitions.

Read more about the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation.


Read the declaration's full text (all PDF): Read a Q&A on the Declaration of Principles and Code of Conduct with Democracy Program Director David Carroll
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Report Outlines Process Leading to Standardization of International Election Observation Practices

23 March 2007



Atlanta....The Carter Center has issued "Building Consensus on Principles for International Election Observation," a report outlining the consensus-building process leading to the endorsement of best practices in the field.

With the National Democratic Institute and the U.N. Electoral Assistance Division, the Center began a multiyear project in 2003 to help establish professional standards and to increase the effectiveness and credibility of international election observation with the goal of increasing public confidence in the work of international observers.

Through a series of conferences involving more than 20 intergovernmental and international nongovernmental organizations, two important documents were developed:  the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation and the Code of Conduct for International Election Observers. The Declaration and Code were formally endorsed by 22 organizations at the United Nations on Oct. 27, 2005.

"Building Consensus on Principles for International Election Observation" also highlights some of the continuing challenges facing the election observation community as a whole.



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