The Agora Election Observation Mission to the Polish parliamentary election this fall is already taking its final shape. It is our pleasure to introduce our three Coordinators who took up and embraced challenging tasks.
Outreach Coordinator – Daniel Kerekes (Slovakia)
“I hold a master’s degree in Political Marketing and Electoral Studies, as well as a PhD in Political Science from Masaryk University. My research at the university focused on urban electoral geography, electoral systems, and political marketing.Previously, I worked for several years as a political consultant. Currently, I serve as a political data analyst for the Slovak outlet Denník N, while also working as an external university lecturer.
My passion for elections has led me to participate in various roles (STO, LTO, CT assistant) in seven international election observation missions.”
Logistics Coordinator – Sophia Lindemiller (Germany)
“I am Sophia from Germany and currently doing a bachelor’s degree in international business studies at the Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg. I am excited to join the AGORA Election Observation Mission to Poland as a logistics coordinator. I have already gained experience with election observation during my internship at the center for international peace operations in Berlin. During that time, I assisted with sending approximately 70 Short-Term-Observers to the elections in Turkey and Albania in 2023, which is why I am very excited to organize the logistics part for the upcoming election observation mission to Poland.
Over the last few years, I noticed that young people especially have a harder time participating in international election observation due to lack of experience and/or expertise. Nevertheless, participation of the younger generation is vital in continuously ensuring ongoing free and fair elections in my opinion.
Due to this, I am very happy to support AGORAs election observation mission to Poland in the next weeks and months as logistics coordinator.”
Research Coordinator – Margarita Spasova (Bulgaria )
“My name is Margarita and I come from Bulgaria but I currently live between my home country and Poland. With a background in International Relations and European Union Law my professional journey has taken me to my current position as an advocacy officer at Ekaterina Karavelova Foundation where we aim at improving the full and effective participation of women at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and social life and advancing gender equality and active civil society in general. In the last few years, I have worked extensively on monitoring women’s participation in elections and on researching good practices for enhancing political representation so I am bringing a gender perspective to the observation of young people’s participation. In addition, I work as a freelance trainer in the field of youth and human rights as I believe that in this way I can contribute to young people’s personal and social development as well as their active participation in society and decision-making.
I see election observation as human rights work because it results in operative recommendations that can improve the process so that all citizens (including young people) can fully enjoy their right to participate in public affairs free from discrimination and other limitations.
Therefore, I am really grateful for the opportunity to join the Agora Election Observation Mission in Poland as a Research Coordinator and work with other young people, local and international stakeholders in order to promote young people’s participation in the electoral process as a crucial element in the continuous effort to protect democracy and human rights.”