CHISINAU, 25 October 2010 - The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened an observation mission for the 28 November early parliamentary elections in Moldova.

The mission, headed by Peter Eicher, was deployed following an invitation by the Central Election Commission of Moldova. All OSCE participating States are committed to invite ODIHR to observe their elections.

The observation mission will assess the electoral process for its compliance with OSCE commitments and other international standards for democratic elections, as well as with domestic legislation. Observers will monitor campaign activities, the implementation of election-related legislation, the media situation, the work of the election administration and relevant government bodies, and the resolution of election disputes.

In addition to 12 international election experts based in Chisinau and 20 long-term observers in the regions, ODIHR has requested that OSCE participating States send 200 short-term observers for monitoring of election day. On election day, short-term observers will monitor the opening of polling stations, the voting, the counting of ballots, and the tabulation of results.

For these elections, the OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission will join efforts with the delegation of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and other parliamentary groups. The mission, together with parliamentary partners, will issue a statement of preliminary findings and conclusions on the day after the elections. ODIHR will issue a final report about two months after the end of the electoral process.

The OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission and the OSCE Mission to Moldova operate separately under their specific mandates.

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