07 March 2000

Bonn, Germany: The United Nations Volunteers programme (UNV) has fielded long-term observers in Suriname to work with state institutions and the media ahead of the South American country's May 25 general elections.

All six UN Volunteers -- two French, two Belgian, a Dutchman and an Italian -- have had previous experience in electoral assistance. They were joined on the ground by two Belgian UNVs whose assignments have been extended to allow them to assist in the upcoming polls.

The observers, who were requested by the Suriname Government, will support poll-related technical and financial commissions as well as teams of national observers covered under the statutory Independent Electoral Council. They will be deployed in teams of two, with a national UN Volunteer interpreter and assistant attached to each team. Their main tasks will be help register eligible voters in the former Dutch colony's rain forested interior as well as to produce and distribute identity cards for these citizens.

In addition, they will make contact with district and local election administrators, political parties and community groups. As observers, they are to watch and report without intervening in the conduct of the election.

Other key activities in the initial stage include support to non-governmental organizations and the media for civic education, voter education and election coverage training. These will be carried out through grants to organizations promoting democracy in Suriname.

Working under this project financed by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the UNV observers will also support the international observation of the electoral process, which will be spearheaded by the EU Observation Unit.

The Bonn-based UNV programme is preparing to follow up this preparatory work by sending 20 short-term observers for a period of two weeks just ahead of the elections.

Since 1993, UNV has recruited more than 5,000 experienced electoral specialists to organize and observe polls worldwide. In 1999 alone, 801 UN Volunteers were recruited to provide electoral assistance in nine countries and the territory of East Timor.