Authors/Editors: Mark Stevens and Anders Eriksson

Election observation missions are tasked with assessing the conduct of an election in accordance with best practices and with reference to various international and regional standards for elections, which respective countries have voluntarily agreed to adhere to.
This guide brings together many of the key international and regional standards for elections as a reference tool for European Union Election Observation Missions (EUEOMs), in order to facilitate their understanding of the standards to which each country is obligated, either legally or politically, to adhere.
The term “international standards” for an election is often used as a reference
point. However, it is important for an EUEOM to be aware of all the various
commitments a state has entered into, in order that its conduct in the holding of an election can be fairly assessed.

This Handbook covers “International” and “Regional” standards, with a clear indication of which agreements and commitments are “legal obligations” and which are “political commitments”.