International level of electoral governance

Grishin Nikolai V.

Annotation

The paper formulated the problem of the governing the institution of elections at the supranational level. The paper observes the role of international intergovernmental organizations such as the UN, the OSCE, the Organization of American States, the African Union in electoral governance. The paper evaluates the activities of the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe on the development of electoral institutions. The basic functions, problems and prospects of participation of international organizations in the management of elections are analyzed. The episodic nature of international electoral assistance that prevailed in the XX century is replaced by a long-term and systematic approach at the present stage. The list of issues of the electoral process in the sphere of attention of international actors are been expanded. The continental international organizations are the pioneers in the development of innovative international regulatory institutions in the electoral process. It is advisable to reorientate of international organizations by overcoming their focus only on the former socialist and developing countries. Equal attention to all countries and the transition to a policy of universal standards can unlock the potential of the international regulation of the electoral process.

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