Contains a glossary of election terminology, an election observation handbook, and an international observer guide.
Roberts was the deputy chief observer of the EU Election Observation Mission to the 2008 elections in Pakistan.
Véronique De Keyser, chief observer of the EU election observation mission, said lack of essential materials resulted in delays in the opening of polling stations amid a challenging environment.
The EU Election Observation Mission (UE-EOM) has deployed 42 long-term observers.
Having led the United States-financed election observation mission in Haiti in 2006, and helped organize or observe elections in a half-dozen other countries, I know that the international community's typical election assistance (technical aid and outside observation) does not prevent post-election violence.
Susan Hyde points out that even semi-democratic countries invite election observation, despite the risk of international criticism, in part because refusing observers is taken as an admission of electoral malpractice.
"In addition, an open electoral process would include a credible and impartial mechanism for reviewing election-related complaints, a domestic election observation effort according to international standards, and the presence of international observers," she said in a statement.
The EU deployed an Election Observation Mission (EOM), led by Chief Observer Michael Gahler (EPP, Germany), with 10 observers from the European Parliament.
What could help improve election observation?
Internationally, election observation can be a strong deterrent against fraud.
Robert Barry Head of Election Observation Mission, Kazakhstan Vienna, Sept. 23, 2004.
