GEN

Declares that determining the will of the people requires an electoral process that provides an equal opportunity for all citizens to become candidates and put forward their political views individually and in cooperation with others, as provided in national constitutions and laws; affirms the value of the electoral assistance that UN has provided at the request of some Member States, in the context of full respect for their sovereignty; endorses the view of the Secretary-General that he should designate a senior official in the Offices of the Secretary-General to act as a focal point, to ensure consistency in the handling of requests of Member States, organizing elections, to develop and maintain a roster of international experts who could provide technical assistance as well as assist in the verification of electoral processes and to maintain contact with regional and other intergovernmental organizations to ensure arrangements with them and the avoidance of duplication of efforts; requests the Secretary-General to allocate whenever appropriate, a small number of staff and other resources to support the designated senior official in carrying out his or her functions; requests the Secretary-General to establish a voluntary trust fund for cases where the requesting Member State is unable to finance in whole or in part, the electoral verification mission and to propose guidelines for disbursements therefrom.

Adopted 134-4-13, 75th meeting

4 p.

Adopted at the 75th plenary meeting, 17 Dec. 1991.