The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened an election observation mission ahead of the 19 April early parliamentary elections, following an invitation from the national authorities and based on the findings of a pre-election needs assessment mission .
The mission is headed by Dunja Mijatović and consists of a core team of 12 international experts based in Sofia. Fourteen long-term observers will be deployed throughout the country from 20 March, and ODIHR also plans to request 200 short-term observers to arrive several days before election day. The core team experts and long-term observers come from 18 different OSCE participating states.
"We are here at the invitation of the Bulgarian authorities to observe the early parliamentary elections. As always, our assessment will be neutral and independent, helping to strengthen public confidence and at the same time support efforts to improve the electoral process," Mijatović said.
The mission will closely observe all key aspects of the elections, such as the campaign, including on social networks, campaign finance, the work of the election administration at the national, regional and, local levels, the legal framework, election dispute resolution, media coverage, and institutional arrangements put in place by the authorities to deter disinformation. Observers will also assess the implementation of previous ODIHR election recommendations. Members of the observation mission will also meet representatives of the national authorities, political parties, civil society, the media, and the international community.
