Strengthening the role of the UN in enhancing the effectiveness of the principle of periodic and genuine elections and the promotion of democratization

Requests that the electoral assistance provided by the UN continue on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the guidelines on electoral assistance, recognizing that the fundamental responsibility for organizing free and fair elections lies with Governments; requests the Electoral Assistance Division of the Department of Political Affairs of the Secretariat to continue to inform Member States on a regular basis about the requests received, responses given to those requests and the nature of the assistance provided; recommends that Electoral Assistance Division continue to provide post-election assistance to requesting States and electoral institutions, in order to contribute to the sustainability of their electoral processes and that it study ways of defining more clearly the activities related to democratic consolidation that the UN might usefully undertake in assisting the efforts of interested States in this regard; also recommends that UN electoral assistance be geared towards comprehensive observation of the electoral process, beginning with registration and other pre-election activities and continuing through the campaign, election day and the announcement of the election results, in instances where more than technical assistance is required by the requesting State; requests the Secretary-General to take further steps to support States that requests assistance by enabling the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to support democratization activities related to human rights concern; requests UNDP to continue its commendable programmes of assistance for governance; recommends that the Secretary-General consider ways to continue to improve coordination and to strengthen further the efforts of the Electoral Assistance Division, the Office of the High Commissioner and the UN system in general to respond to its increased and evolving responsibilities in the field of electoral assistance and democratization.

Adopted 157-0-15, 70th meeting

4 p.

Adopted at the 70th plenary meeting, 12 Dec. 1997.