The Carter Center Reaffirms Commitment to the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation

GENEVA (Dec. 15, 2025) – The Carter Center joined other leading election observation organizations this week to reaffirm a commitment to advancing genuine democratic elections on the 20th anniversary of the Declaration of Principles of International Election Observation (DoP).

Adopted in 2005, the DoP established a shared framework for upholding the core ideals of credible election observation and for developing practical responses to urgent issues facing democracy and elections, such as the impact of digital technologies, democratic backsliding, and growing political polarization.

The Carter Center collaborated with the National Democratic Institute, the United Nations Electoral Assistance Division, and other partners to establish the DoP in 2005. Since then, the number of endorsing organizations has grown from 21 to 54, representing every region of the world.

At a time when democracy and free elections face unprecedented challenges, The Carter Center welcomes the public statement of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association and the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders, recognizing election observers as human rights defenders, playing a critically important role in promoting electoral integrity worldwide. 

Read the joint statement from the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation.

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Contact: media@cartercenter.org