To:
CC:
Heads of OSCE PA Delegations
Secretaries of OSCE PA Delegations
10 February 2021
Dear Heads of Delegations,
Parliamentary elections are scheduled to take place in the Republic of Bulgaria on 4
April 2021, and following an invitation to observe these elections, the PA President has decided
to deploy an Election Observation Mission to this important election to work closely with
expected teams from the OSCE/ODIHR and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of
Europe.
Due to the extraordinary circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and
specifically to gathering limitations in Bulgaria, briefings will be held online in the week
prior to the election, with observers expected to travel to Bulgaria only after the briefings
and immediately prior to election day.
In accordance with the attached OSCE PA Election Observation Guidelines, national
Delegations wishing to nominate their members to participate in this mission are kindly asked to
complete and return to the International Secretariat ([email protected]) as soon as possible, but
no later than
Friday, 5 March 2021
the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
The Delegation Nomination Form,
An Individual Observer Nomination Form for each nominated observer,
A signed Statement of Nominated Election Observer for each nominated observer,
A signed Code of Conduct for each nominated observer,
A copy of the photograph page from each nominated observer’s passport,
Please note that in accordance with the Guidelines nominated observers are not part of an
observation mission before they have been appointed by the OSCE PA President. The
International Secretariat will communicate the list of observers to delegations that have
forwarded nominations following appointment by the OSCE PA President. Due to registration
procedures, we may not be able to accommodate those who register after the deadline.
As a result of the COVID-19 response, a number of travel restrictions are in place in
many countries, and Members are requested to consult with the appropriate authorities regarding
travel procedures and access to the country.
All participants are expected to obtain a PCR test
for COVID-19 within 72 hours of planned arrival in Bulgaria.
As such a test is mandatory
for entry to Bulgaria, observers should expect to present test results upon arrival in the country;
in case of a positive test result observers are expected to not travel for the observation mission.
The International Secretariat will maintain close contact with the authorities in Bulgaria to
ensure compliance with local health regulations and guidelines, and observers can expect some
adjustments to mission procedures. The mission will work to put in place disease mitigation
measures including social distancing where possible, however participants should understand
that observation is a physical practice requiring interaction with a wide range of people.
Observers are expected to comply with all national laws and regulations of the host country,
_________________
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