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OSCE Centre organizes seminar for domestic observers in Turkmenistan
ASHGABAD 20 November 2007
ASHGABAD, 20 November 2007 - More than 70 domestic observers from the Democratic Party of Turkmenistan, the Women's Union, the Youth Organization and the National Institute for Democracy and Human Rights took part in an OSCE seminar on domestic election observation, which ends in Ashgabad today.
The two-day event was organized by the OSCE Centre in Ashgabad and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) as part of their support to Turkmenistan in implementing OSCE commitments on democratic elections.
"Domestic observers play a key role in making elections transparent and in guaranteeing confidence in election processes," said Konrad Olszewski, Deputy director of ODIHR's election department. "This event is intended to contribute to Turkmenistan's capacity to hold elections further in line with OSCE commitments".
Two ODIHR experts and an independent election trainer gave an overview of OSCE commitments and international standards for elections, and introduced the ODIHR methodology for election observation. ODIHR publications Existing commitments for democratic elections in OSCE participating states and the Election Observation Handbook were also presented as a reference material for use at the seminar and in future election observation.
Participants also reviewed the Code of Conduct for observers, and took part in a simulation of an election observation, which gave them an opportunity to put into practice the methods and skills they acquired during the seminar.
The OSCE Centre plans to continue its support to Turkmenistan on elections related issues.
The two-day event was organized by the OSCE Centre in Ashgabad and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) as part of their support to Turkmenistan in implementing OSCE commitments on democratic elections.
"Domestic observers play a key role in making elections transparent and in guaranteeing confidence in election processes," said Konrad Olszewski, Deputy director of ODIHR's election department. "This event is intended to contribute to Turkmenistan's capacity to hold elections further in line with OSCE commitments".
Two ODIHR experts and an independent election trainer gave an overview of OSCE commitments and international standards for elections, and introduced the ODIHR methodology for election observation. ODIHR publications Existing commitments for democratic elections in OSCE participating states and the Election Observation Handbook were also presented as a reference material for use at the seminar and in future election observation.
Participants also reviewed the Code of Conduct for observers, and took part in a simulation of an election observation, which gave them an opportunity to put into practice the methods and skills they acquired during the seminar.
The OSCE Centre plans to continue its support to Turkmenistan on elections related issues.