Self-Determination Referendum of Catalonia International Monitoring

Following the call of a referendum in Catalonia on 1 October 2017, as per the Law on the Self-Determination Referendum, approved by the Catalan Parliament the 6^th September 2017, Article 15.1 establishes: “The Government of Catalonia and its electoral administration will encourage the presence of international election monitors”. The Government of Catalonia thus welcomes both non-governmental organisations and individuals who wish to partake in the observation of the referendum on site in order to witness the proceedings throughout the day, thus guaranteeing the democratic quality of the Referendum.

According the Chapter X of the Government of Catalonia Decree 140/2017 dated September the 6th the Electoral Commission of Catalonia has foreseen two different types of election monitoring:

Call for international observers

Experienced international observers with prior involvement in electoral observation missions will be especially welcomed. The international observers will be selected according to education and relevant experience, as well as the information detailed in the “Proposed Electoral Observation Activities” document to be submitted and attached to the application.

This proposal must include a working plan detailing foreseen activities, description of responsibilities within the working team, mission schedule, and CVs of the working team accrediting their relevant training and experience.

Observers commit to present a preliminary statement after the provisional results are announced and a Mission Report no later than 10 days after the official publication of the results.

The Electoral Commission of Catalonia can accredit registered organisations or groups of individuals, in both cases it is necessary to identify and provide the contact details of the head of mission during the observation mission. In the case of organisations, it is requested they submit their legal documents of constitution.

To apply as an international observer, please download the relevant form here and send it duly filled to monitors@ref1oct.eu by 25th September 2017 attaching the documents specified in the form.

Requirements for International Observers

1. In order to receive their credentials, all international observers must submit the corresponding application and the required documents with the procedure specified above by 25th September 2017.
2. International Observers must be aged 18 or over on the day of the referendum.
3. International Observers may be of any nationality but Spanish.
4. International Observers will be required to sign in the application form a commitment to respect the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation and the Code of Conduct for International Election Observers adopted on October, 27, 2005 at the United Nations.

The working language will be English. All briefings will be conducted in English. International Observers must be able to read briefing materials, attend briefing sessions, and understand procedural instructions, all in English.

All International Observers are asked to refrain from commenting on referendum-related issues via social media. In line with the Code of Conduct, media communications regarding the electoral process and the substance of observations should be made only by the Head of Mission, organisation Spokesperson, or other responsible organisation officials.

The Electoral Commission of Catalonia will not assume the expenses related to  travel or accommodation, deployment or activities of the international observers or visitors.

International Observer Code of Conduct

The Electoral Commission of Catalonia reserves the right to reject any application that does not sufficiently fulfil the requirements of impartiality and objectivity. Likewise the accreditation can be withdrawn in case of any serious breach of the Observer Code of Conduct.

Download here the full Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation and the Code of Conduct for International Election Observers adopted on October, 27, 2005

Call for international visitors

International Visitors interested in witness the proceedings of the Referendum will also be welcomed. International Visitors will be accredited on an individual basis and will be selected among distinguished academics in social sciences, or those with political experience or with a relevant career in the defense and promotion of human rights.

To apply as an International Visitor, please download the relevant form here (provided below)and send it duly filled to visitors@ref1oct.eu by 25th September 2017 attaching the documents specified in the form.

International Visitors Requeriments

1. In order to receive their credentials, all international visitors must submit the corresponding application and the required documents with the procedure specified above by 25th September 2017.
2. International Visitors must be aged 18 or over on the day of the referendum.
3. International Visitors may be of any nationality but Spanish.
4. International Visitors will be required to sign in the application form a commitment to respect the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation and the Code of Conduct for International Election Observers adopted on October, 27, 2005 at the United Nations.

All International Visitors will receive a briefing upon arrival and are required to operate in accordance with these guidelines. All briefings will be conducted in English.

 All International Visitors are kindly asked to align their communications in social media according to the conditions established in the Code of Conduct.

The Electoral Commission of Catalonia will not assume the expenses related to travel or accommodation, deployment or activities of the international visitors.

Before coming

International Visitors will require credentials from the Electoral Commission of Catalonia before they can partake as such.

Briefing

Before deployment, International Visitors will be provided with a briefing, and the Electoral Commission of Catalonia will provide support to International Visitors to establish contacts with political parties and organisations active in the referendum when requested.

International Visitor Code of Conduct

The Electoral Commission of Catalonia reserves the right to reject any application that does not sufficiently fulfil the requirements of impartiality and objectivity. Likewise the accreditation can be withdrawn in case of any serious breach of the Code of Conduct.

Download here (provided below) the full Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation and the Code of Conduct for International Election Observers adopted on October, 27, 2005