Publisher's Synopsis
With the end of the Cold War, country after country has turned to the international community to help with the transition to multiparty democracy. The cornerstone of the transition process is the holding of a "free and fair" election. Article 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states "the will (of the people) shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote". This paper examines the many preconditions necessary for a "free and fair" election. It looks at the role of bilateral donors and interparliamentary associations; discusses how election monitoring can contribute to achieving a "free and fair" election; and examines the need for greater international co-operation in electoral assistance. Case studies of recent elections are included.
