OAS - Organization of American States

09/27/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/28/2024 10:48

OAS Electoral Mission in Brazil Begins Deployment for Municipal Elections

Press Release


OAS Electoral Mission in Brazil Begins Deployment for Municipal Elections

September 27, 2024

The Electoral Observation Mission of the Organization of American States (OAS) for the municipal elections on October 6 in Brazil, began its activities today after OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro and the Permanent Representative of Brazil to the OAS, Benoni Belli, signed the agreement outlining the Mission's deployment.

At the signing ceremony held at OAS headquarters in Washington, DC, Ambassador Belli stated that "electoral observation is a great asset of this Organization and it should always be used to improve electoral practices and processes." "We know that elections are fundamental to democracy throughout the region," he added.

Secretary General Almagro welcomed the openness and invitation of the Brazilian authorities to deploy an Electoral Observation Mission (EOM) and reaffirmed the commitment of the OAS and its Electoral Missions to "professionalism, impartiality, objectivity, and technical capacity." He also emphasized that "the deployment of the Mission for the 2024 Municipal Elections is a clear example of our sustained commitment to democracy in Brazil and the region as a whole."

The EOM is led by former Uruguayan Ambassador Agustín Espinosa and consists of 15 experts and observers from 11 countries. They will analyze issues related to electoral organization, electoral technology, electoral justice, political participation of women, political participation of indigenous and afro-descendant peoples, political financing, campaigns, media and digital communication, and electoral violence.

During its mission in Brazil, the EOM will meet with government authorities, representatives of federal and state electoral bodies, civil society, and academia, among others, to conduct an analysis of the ongoing electoral process. At the conclusion of its observation, the OAS will present a preliminary report with its findings and recommendations.

This is the fourth electoral process in which the OAS conducts an Electoral Observation Mission in Brazil. The Mission is being made possible thanks to the financial contributions of the United States, France, the Netherlands, Peru, and the Dominican Republic.

Reference: E-072/24