many Iranians were looking for a change. rights, to strengthen the rule of law and to
For the elections, President Ahmadinejad ensure pluralistic democracy.
tried to build his support in the rural areas
with last moment rural development efforts Election observation work is an important
which his opponents saw as transparent activity for the 56 member States of the
‘bribes’. He had lost much support among Organization for Security and Cooperation
educated Middle Class urban voters who in Europe (OSCE) and its Office for
wanted a better standard of living, Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
employment opportunities for the young and housed in Warsaw, Poland. The Office for
greater personal freedoms. Democratic Institutions, originally called the
Office for Free Elections, first played an
Thus, the election could have been close important role in the democratic transition in
even if Ahmadinejad had won fairly, having post-communist countries. While its
the resources of the State at his control. observation of elections is its most visible
Now, there is great scepticism concerning task, the Office also conducts a number of
the outcome both in Iran and in the world other useful election-related activities:
community. The scepticism is so great that a reviewing electoral legislation, training
promise by the Guide of the Iranian regime, observers, and publishing guidelines and
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been made handbooks about electoral issues.
concerning a recount in certain contested
areas. However, electoral fraud is rarely at
the counting stage. One can recount a
stuffed ballot box and come up with the
same number of votes. This is why the
whole electoral process needs to be
monitored by independent election agents.


Citizens of the World have often called for
international, basically UN supervision, of

elections. The organization of elections
remains a prerogative of the national –
The Office for Democratic Institutions is
administrative sub-divisions of the State,
concerned with a” wholistic” approach to
and local governments. However, in cases
election monitoring including the following:
where the election campaign can be tense

- Respect for basic fundamental freedoms such
and prone to violence as was the presidential
as the freedom of assembly, of association, and
election of Zimbabwe, or when there has
expression;
been a past history of fraud, international,
- Respect for the civil and political rights of the
independent monitors are important agents
candidates and voters;
of fair elections and help to protect human
- Compilation of accurate voter lists;
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