The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) fields election observation teams to participating States to assess the implementation of OSCE commitments relating to elections and to observe the entire electoral process.

ODIHR does not recruit observers directly. Observers generally are seconded to the ODIHR by the OSCE participating States. When a decision is made to observe an election the ODIHR requests long and short term observers by notifying the delegations of OSCE participating States in Vienna.

The procedure for recruiting observers varies from country to country, but the process is generally co-ordinated by the respective foreign ministries. As a rule it is the sending States that cover the costs of the observers.

For information on national procedures for recruiting observers please contact the relevant permanent delegation to the OSCE in Vienna.