To Members of the Association of the Central and Eastern European Election Officials

Dear colleagues!

Recent years saw profound social and political changes in our countries. National electoral structures and election officials have played an important role in determining the vector of these complicated processes. In the ACEEEO member countries fundamentally new election legislation has been developed, election commissions are working in the  conditions of openness and public control, up-to-date information technologies are being introduced in the election process. Establishment and strengthening of democratic statehood are being carried out through democratization of the election system and implementation of measures to ensure electoral rights of citizens. These processes go hand in hand with the development of the multi-party system.

It is clear that in this new situation we have a great deal in common, as we did in the past which is becoming a part of our common history. Everybody would agree that it is impossible for people to make any progress if they are guided only by their own ideas and views.

Discussion of the problem of fair and democratic elections is one of the priority aims of the ACEEEO . As you know, the general criteria of free and fair elections were set forth in the Statement adopted by the session of the Interparliamentary Union on March 26, 1994. At the same time, these criteria have special features and characteristics relating to election campaigns conducted in our states. From this point of view, the experience gained in legislative activity and election administration by the Central and Eastern European countries is unique and deserves closest attention.

In view of the above, I am calling upon you on behalf of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation  to discuss and adopt a special document of the Association that could serve as the basis for assessing the democratic nature of elections held in the ACEEEO member countries. The Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation is ready to present a draft of such document and the ACEEEO Secretariat might be asked to prepare its final version on the basis of the proposals and comments of all ACEEEO members. We suggest that a conference of the ACEEEO be held in the Russian Federation in 2002 for final discussion and official adoption of the document.

A.A.Veshnyakov
Chairman
Central Election Commission
Of the Russian Federation