Re-run of Elections to the Berlin House of Representatives and District Assemblies, 12 February 2023

Following an invitation from the Permanent Mission of the Federal Republic of Germany to observe the 12 February 2023 re-run of electionsto the Berlin House of Representatives and District Assemblies, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) conducted a Needs Assessment Mission (NAM) from 9 to 12 January 2023. The NAM was composed of Ulvi Akhundlu, Deputy Head of the ODIHR Election Department, and Hamadziripi Munyikwa, ODIHR Election Adviser.

The purpose of the mission was to assess the pre-election environment and the preparations for the elections. Based on this assessment, the NAM recommends whether to deploy an ODIHR electionrelated activity for the forthcoming elections, and if so, what type of activity best meets the identified needs. Meetings were held with officials from state institutions, including Berlin Land (LEC) and District (DEC) election commissioners, members of the expert commission established to enquire into the events of the September 2021 elections in Berlin, representatives of political parties, and civil society. A full list of meetings is annexed to this report.