Agora Election Observation (AEO) is a non-governmental, non-profit organisation whose mandate is fostering a democratic, participatory, diverse, equal and transnational Europe committed to human rights. In particular, the organisation aims to train young people as international election observers and report on youth participation in elections in Europe. This is done by deploying young people themselves on election observation missions.
The following preliminary statement of AEO Mission to Slovakia draws on direct observations from Election Day and insights from the pre-election environment. Please note that the detailed findings will be presented in a final report drawing on the full analysis of the data collected throughout the Mission.
The AEO Mission to the Slovak Republic deployed 7 teams of 7 nationalities to observe the September 30 2023 early parliamentary elections. In accordance with the AEO methodology, observers completed an e-learning course for election observers and undertook research on the election process. Upon deployment, the AEO team met with a number of stakeholders and local interlocutors, including election administration authorities, civil society representatives and the OSCE/ODIHR Election Assessment Mission. On Election Day, observers were deployed across 4 regions (kraje) in Slovakia – Bratislava, Nitra, Prešov and Banská Bystrica – and visited 70 polling stations to observe the opening, voting, closing and counting procedures.
According to the Slovak Election Law, anyone interested in observing the process of voting and vote counting has the right to be present in the polling station without the need for accreditation. AEO welcomes the accessibility that this provides for election observation without bureaucratic impediments. However, the broad formulation does not mention all stages of the electoral process and therefore leaves space for inconsistent interpretation by election officials on how to deal with election observers, in particular at the opening and closing of polling stations. Overall, election commissions were cooperative and did not restrict AEO observers in their observation.
Several campaigns have taken place in the run up to the election to mobilise youth voters, organised by civil society. It is noteworthy that, despite the polarised pre-election environment these campaigns maintained a non-partisan stance. The “Chcem tu zostat” (“I want to stay here”) campaign targeted specifically youth through social media and music events. A similar campaign aimed at youth voters abroad provided free transport to return to Slovakia in order to vote. Simplified procedures for postal voting, concordant with OSCE/ODIHR recommendations, also facilitated young people studying and working outside of their hometown to vote.
Election Day observations do not yet indicate significant change in youth participation, however. This election received the highest turnout in parliamentary elections since 2002 with 68%. In the polling stations visited by AEO observers, the percentage of youth voters is estimated to be 14.9%, similar to the 14.5% observed during the 2020 elections. Meanwhile the average percentage of young candidates (between 21 and 30 years) across all parties for the 2023 parliamentary elections was 7.1%, marking a decline from 10.3% in 2020.
Amongst the polling station staff, women and men were equally represented. In 20.3% of polling stations observed, the chairperson was below 35 (similar to 2020) with a slight preponderance of women in this position.
Although there were tensions between party candidates in the lead-up to the elections, our observers reported that Election Day was calm, with no signs of tension or unrest in or around the polling stations. In general polling station staff demonstrated a strong understanding of the procedures and their implementation throughout Election Day was assessed as organised and efficient. The vast majority of observed polling stations opened on time. Moreover, the procedures for opening, closing and counting were generally well followed.
During the voting the AEO Mission observed two particular inconsistencies in the application of election procedures. Particularly of note was the treatment of the box for disused and spoiled ballots. The requirement for this to be sealed during the voting was rarely fulfilled, due to the large number of disused ballot papers. This problem also recurred in some cases during the counting process. It should be noted that this was not judged to have had significant implications on the tabulation.
Secondly, the accessibility of polling stations and procedures for voting with assistance remain an issue. Although an improvement from 70.5% in 2020, 58% of polling stations observed were difficult to access for voters with a disability. Numerous voters were recorded as having voted with assistance, but the procedures in relation to this were applied inconsistently.
The detailed findings of the Mission will be presented in a final report drawing on research conducted during the campaign period and Election Day observation.