The article considers a new concept of contentious elections from the point of view of the possibilities of international observation and control over elections. Based on the analysis of the scientific literature, the definition of contentious elections is formulated as elections involving serious challenges to the legitimacy of subjects, procedures, or their results. It was concluded that the contentious elections are taking place where, there are deep conflicts in the society, calling into question the legitimacy of the authorities, there are doubts in the electoral procedures and the election results. Based on the analysis of existing regime and institutional factors of electoral regulation, the article outlines the possibilities of international regulation of contentious elections such as: adjusting the concept of sovereignty following the example of the European Union, forming general ideas about the legality and fairness of elections, constant dialogue, creating and developing on this basis international independent election observation organizations.
