The Carter Center and Election Observation: An Obligations-Based Approach for Assessing Elections

Abstract

Abstract

This article provides an overview of recent efforts by the Carter Center to establish an analytical framework for election observation assessments based in public international law. The authors argue that by basing the framework on international legal commitments that states have accepted freely, election assessments can be more transparent, objective, and acceptable to host countries. The authors also argue that an obligations based approach to election assessment provides a promising avenue for fostering consensus on the elements of democratic elections, as well as the assessment criteria used by observer groups. This article includes details of the practical tools used by Carter Center observation missions including the Database of Obligations for Democratic Elections, and forthcoming publications such as the Center's methodology handbook.