Election observation & democratisation: ODIHR director visits ZIF

During her visit to Berlin, Maria Telalian, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), came to the ZIF for talks. ZIF Director Dr. Astrid Irrgang and Rebecca Meier, election observation expert at the ZIF, welcomed Telalian and discussed past and future cooperation.

On behalf of the German government, ZIF seconds experts to ODIHR headquarters in Warsaw and recruits, trains, and deploys German election observers for ODIHR missions - 333 men and women in 2024.

ODIHR—one of the most important human rights organizations worldwide

The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) is mandated to assist OSCE states in “ensuring full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, adhering to the rule of law, promoting the principles of democracy and, in this regard, building, strengthening and protecting democratic institutions, as well as promoting tolerance throughout society,” according to the 1992 Helsinki Document. This makes ODIHR one of the most important international human rights organizations. It was founded in 1991 and currently employs around 150 staff from some 35 countries.

They support the 57 OSCE participating states in strengthening their democratic institutions, maintaining the rule of law, and enhancing respect for human rights.

Election observation as a tool for promoting democracy

To this end, ODIHR deploys election observers throughout the OSCE area, monitors human rights compliance, and provides participating states with expertise and support on a wide range of issues, from strengthening gender equality to improving judicial proceedings. In doing so, the Office works closely with other OSCE institutions and local projects, as well as numerous partners in governments, international organizations, and civil society groups.

Election observation is one of the organization's most visible activity. ODIHR regularly sends missions to OSCE participating states, and states providing personnel for these missions. Germany is not only the second-largest financial contributor to the OSCE but also one of the participating states that provides the most election observers.

ZIF recruits, trains, and deploys German election observers

When it comes to recruit, train and deploy mission staff, Germany can relay on its Center for International Peace Operations (ZIF). In its 2002 founding mandate, it is tasked to support international election observation with German experts. 

Every year, we open our ZIF expert pool, train future observers, and accompany them on ODIHR and EU missions. In 2024, a total of 333 Germans took part in ODIHR missions as long- and short-term election observers. Three German seconded staff are currently working at the ODIHR headquarters in Warszaw and two German long-term election observers (LTOs) are on duty. They are member of the election observation mission to Moldova. Launched at the invitation of the Moldovan authorities, this mission was deployed on August 13 and consists of a 16-member core team in Chișinău and 30 LTOs who have been on site throughout the country since August 22. 27 participating states are providing personnel as another 200 short-term election observers are expected around election day, including numerous Germans. This mission has just published its interim report: https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/1/6/597315_1.pdf

Election observation was therefore also the central topic of the discussion with the ODIHR Director. There was agreement on the need to continue to recruit qualified and resilient personnel for this task.