30 October 2008
International Leaders Monitor U.S. Presidential Election
Observers watch Election Day preparations and proceedings
Washington — The world is paying close attention to the U.S. election, and, with the help of the State Department, some international leaders will watch Election Day unfold in the United States.
As part of the State Department’s Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), 44 female political leaders from the Middle East and North Africa have been in the United States since October 14 learning firsthand how presidential politics work. The women — some of whom have experience running campaigns in their own countries — attended workshops and political seminars in Washington before heading to various states to watch local campaign events.
At an October 22 reception in Washington, many of the women told America.gov they were excited to watch the presidential race unfold but also were eager to gain useful tips that could help them run political operations in their countries.
“American elections have an important impact for all the world, especially for other political figures,” said Fatiha Saddas, a political leader from Morocco. “There is a difference between observing the elections in person and watching it on TV.”
Sumar Sleem, a lawyer from Lebanon, said she hoped she would learn some campaign skills she could use if she decides to run for office in her home country. Sleem was most interested in learning how to plan a campaign, how to engage with the news media and how to raise funds. “The concept of fundraising doesn’t exist [in Lebanon],” she said.
Sleem said she learned that in the United States, a candidate with a good message and good advisers can “start from nothing. It’s a lot easier than starting a campaign in Lebanon.”
While in Washington the women had the opportunity to meet with U.S. officials — including President Bush, who held a 45-minute meeting with them at the White House October 23. The group discussed the challenges facing the Middle East and the importance of supporting democracy and reform throughout the region.
Another 100 visitors from across the globe also will get a close view of the political action. As participants in the International Visitors Observe the Elections (I-Vote) program sponsored by the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, visitors will observe political activities in some of the country’s most competitive states, including Missouri, Colorado and Ohio.
“As our country prepares to elect the 44th president of the United State s, members of Congress and thousands of officials in state and local contests, you will witness history in the making,” Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs James Glassman told the participants October 27. “You will have the opportunity to observe democracy in action as Americans exercise their rights.” (See “U.S. Democracy Has “Come a Long Way,” State’s Glassman Says.”)
EUROPEAN ORGANIZATION TO MONITOR U.S. ELECTION
Some international leaders will be observing the election in an official monitoring role. In accordance with its commitments as a member of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the United States has invited the organization’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights to monitor the election.
The observers look to ensure the United States is meeting its commitments and international standards for democratic elections. Monitors — some of whom began their work months ago — will examine implementation of federal legislation, the election campaign and the news media, electronic voters, voter registration, voter identification and voting rights.
The OSCE team began preparing for its mission in August by meeting with political experts, researching key issues and monitoring news coverage. Many officials are already in the United States, visiting battleground states to see how state officials are preparing for potentially record-breaking turnouts on Election Day.
About 100 members of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly will observe Election Day proceedings across the country. The OSCE plans to release a public report on its findings.
