09 March 2000

Bonn, Germany: UNV fielded long-term observers in early March to work with state institutions and the media ahead of Suriname's general elections on 25 May. 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 in the South American country have been extended to allow them to assist in the upcoming polls.

The observers, who were requested by the Suriname Government, will be deployed in teams of two, with a national UN Volunteer interpreter and assistant attached to each team. Their main tasks will be to help register eligible voters in the former Dutch colony's rainforested interior as well as to produce and distribute identity cards for these citizens. Other key activities include support to non-governmental organizations and the media for civic education, voter education and election coverage training.

Working under this project financed by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme, the UNV observers will also support the international observation of the electoral process. UNV is preparing to follow up this preparatory work by sending 20 short-term observers for a period of two weeks ahead of the elections.