Ireland is a signatory to the Copenhagen Document. This key document from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) outlines commitments undertaken by participating States in respect of democratic elections, the rule of law, and other fundamental rights and freedoms.In particular, section 8 of the Copenhagen Document notes that participating States consider that the presence of observers, both foreign and domestic, can enhance the electoral process for States in which elections are taking place.Sections 98 of the Electoral Act 1992 specifies the persons who shall be admitted to polling stations while section 113 of that Act explicitly sets out who may be present at the counting of the votes. No other persons may be present without the consent of the relevant returning officer who is independent in the performance of his or her functions under the Act.Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 98 and 113 of the Act, and having regard to our commitments under the Copenhagen Document, my Department, with the co-operation of returning officers, actively seeks to facilitate the attendance of observers at any election whenever such requests are received, including observation missions from the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights.
In this context, the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights have undertaken Needs Assessment Missions in advance of the general elections held in February 2011, February 2016 and February 2020 respectively. In each of those elections, the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights did not recommend deploying full election-related missions.
The last full election-related mission undertaken by the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights took place at the general election held in March 2007. My Department will continue to engage with the OSCE in respect of any future requests.
