21 October 2004

Foreign Observers See Problems in Election

Alan Elsner - Oct 21, 2004

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Substantial threats to the integrity of the U.S. presidential election remain despite an improvement in election practices since 2000, an international delegation of election observers reported on Thursday.

The delegation of 20, including lawyers, diplomats, civic leaders and veteran election monitors from 15 countries, visited five key states last month to review preparations for the Nov. 2 balloting.

They plan to return to Florida, Ohio and Missouri on Election Day, although officials in some counties have so far not agreed to allow them access to polling places and vote counting centers.

"We hope voters in the United States will feel confidence with the presence of international observers and realize they are part of a world community," said Brigalia Bam, chairperson of South Africa's independent electoral commission.

Australian human rights lawyer Irene Baghoomians urged local election officials in parts of Ohio and south Florida, who have so far failed to allow the delegation access on Election Day, to change their minds.

"We do not see any harm from increased accountability and transparency," she said.

[...] It strongly recommended that new electronic touch screen voting machines that have been introduced in many states in the past four years be equipped to produce a voter-verified, recountable paper record.

[...] "Transparency at the polls is critical and cannot be readily established without voter verification," the report said. "If such verification is not available, arrangements for independent auditing should be put in place."

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