Andrea Stäritz

Name: Andrea Stäritz
Function: Long-term Election Observer (LTO)

Short- and Long-term Election Observer

OSCE and EU

Since 2004

 

Career:

  • Studied special education and peace and conflict studies.

  • Worked as a social worker, journalist and in public relations.

  • Deployed internationally as an LTO to Senegal (2012) and before that to Tunisia, Niger, Ivory Coast and Togo. Served as a media expert in Zambia, Nigeria, Kyrgyzstan, as MTO in the DR Congo and as STO in the Ukraine, Belarus and Georgia.

  • ZIF Expert since 2003, first position as media expert.

  • Perspective: Deployment as media and election expert with the UN.

 

As an election observer,

I follow the electoral process and collect information to assess the process. Every mission consists of a team of experts in the areas of elections, rule of law, media and politics, as well as long- and short-term election observers. While the short-term observers only reinforce the team around election day, the experts and long-term observers analyse the preparation and implementation of the elections over a period of several weeks. The most important point of contact for LTOs are the election commission and the political parties, but opinions are also solicited from civil society, including human rights activists, journalists, women’s organisations and labour unions. On election day itself, observation is standardised along international guidelines. Our analyses and recommendations also inform EU and OSCE election support programmes.

 

Why election observation?

Here I can contribute to democratisation and peace consolidation. Every election is a test for democracy: the situation in-country is tense and the temptation to manipulate or cheat is strong. As an election observer, I have the unique opportunity to witness how this tension plays out.

 

My greatest challenge

is continuously working with new teams. Missions are often established at short notice, teams are compiled by nationality and experience, deployments are unexpectedly cut short or extended. This calls for flexibility, patience and a good sense of humour. Election observation is volunteer work and while it offers exceptional experiences, it is not a career as such.

 

“Elections measure the democratic pulse of a society. As an election observer, I am there when the pulse quickens.“