Ignatov, A.V. The sixth edition of the Manual for observing elections of OSCE/ODIHR: on the way to the reform of the institution of international observers.

Abstract: In 2010 the European offi ce of OBSE/ODIHR, which is one of the most authoritative organizations in the sphere of observation of elections and referenda, issued the 6th edition on its manual on observing elections. The article includes comparative analysis of the 5th and the 6th editions, then the author discusses the tendencies of development of international observation, he establishes the issues, which need more detailed description, as well as the contradictions between its provisions and the obligations of the states and some other problems in this sphere. The author then notes that most changes regarded the issues of the organization of the mission, and not the contents of observation itself. On the whole, the 6th edition shows some positive tendencies towards the reform of the institution of observation, while it fails to meet most of the expectations of the experts.

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