Barbara Prainsack
Professor of Comparative Policy Analysis
Berlin
Biography
Organisation
University of Vienna
Speaker session
Session 5 : Election observation for fair and transparent electoral processes
- Closed session
- Closed session
TOPIC: Election observation including by citizens plays a crucial role in ensuring the integrity, transparency, and credibility of electoral processes. Election observation supports democratic principles and promote fair elections. The session will discuss emerging trends and challenges in election observation in the EU context, particularly in light of technological advancements and evolving political landscapes as well as innovative approaches and technologies for enhancing election observation practices.
SPEAKERS:
- Meaghan Fitzgerald, Head of Election Department, ODIHR
- Armin Rabitsch, Chairperson of Election-Watch.EU
- Ana Mihajlović, President of the European Network of Election Monitoring Organizations (ENEMO)
MODERATOR: Julien Mousnier, Director for Rule of Law, Fundamental Rights and Democracy, DG Justice and Consumers
Interventions by Members of the European Cooperation Network on Elections
Armin Rabitsch
Chairperson
Biography
Armin Rabitsch is the chairperson and co-founder of Election-Watch.EU(wahlbeobachtung.org), a non-partisan civil society organisation advocating for participatory electoral reforms and young voter education at the EU level. In 2019, the Election-Watch.EU network conducted the first comprehensive Election Assessment Mission to the European Parliament elections. Building on its recommendations to the Constitutional Committee of the European Parliament, and the European Cooperation Network on Elections, Election-Watch.EU is leading the SEEEDS Project focusing on Enhancing the Integrity of the 2024 European Parliament Elections.
He worked 25 years as an election and democracy expert across the five continents, including for international organisations (EU, UN, OSCE/ODHIR, IFES). He gained expertise in in human rights and governance, including in conflict transformation and electoral violence risk assessment. He is guest lecturer at the Global Campus of Human Rights.
Armin holds a Doctorate of Philosophy (University of Innsbruck/ Austria) and an LL.M. in international Human Rights Law (University of Prague/ Czechia) and co-author of the SEEEDS Policy Paper on European Parliament Elections, the UNESCO Practitioners Handbook on Elections in Digital Times, and the OSCE RFoM policy paper on AI's impact on freedom of expression in political competition and elections.
Organisation
Election-Watch.EU
Speaker session
Session 5 : Election observation for fair and transparent electoral processes
- Closed session
- Closed session
TOPIC: Election observation including by citizens plays a crucial role in ensuring the integrity, transparency, and credibility of electoral processes. Election observation supports democratic principles and promote fair elections. The session will discuss emerging trends and challenges in election observation in the EU context, particularly in light of technological advancements and evolving political landscapes as well as innovative approaches and technologies for enhancing election observation practices.
SPEAKERS:
- Meaghan Fitzgerald, Head of Election Department, ODIHR
- Armin Rabitsch, Chairperson of Election-Watch.EU
- Ana Mihajlović, President of the European Network of Election Monitoring Organizations (ENEMO)
MODERATOR: Julien Mousnier, Director for Rule of Law, Fundamental Rights and Democracy, DG Justice and Consumers
Interventions by Members of the European Cooperation Network on Elections
Florence Ranson
Director
Brussels
Biography
Florence Ranson is a professional event presenter/moderator, specialised in EU policies. She has a long experience of communications in European affairs.
Organisation
REDComms
Speaker session
Session 5 : Election observation for fair and transparent electoral processes
- Closed session
- Closed session
TOPIC: Election observation including by citizens plays a crucial role in ensuring the integrity, transparency, and credibility of electoral processes. Election observation supports democratic principles and promote fair elections. The session will discuss emerging trends and challenges in election observation in the EU context, particularly in light of technological advancements and evolving political landscapes as well as innovative approaches and technologies for enhancing election observation practices.
SPEAKERS:
- Meaghan Fitzgerald, Head of Election Department, ODIHR
- Armin Rabitsch, Chairperson of Election-Watch.EU
- Ana Mihajlović, President of the European Network of Election Monitoring Organizations (ENEMO)
MODERATOR: Julien Mousnier, Director for Rule of Law, Fundamental Rights and Democracy, DG Justice and Consumers
Interventions by Members of the European Cooperation Network on Elections