Global State of Citizen Observer Rights Report 2024

This report highlights various legal, operational, and security challenges faced by citizen observers worldwide as of 2024. The Global Network of Domestic Election Monitors (GNDEM), with support from the National Democratic Institute (NDI), conducted this study which draws on the experiences and lessons shared by nonpartisan citizen election monitoring groups worldwide. This research is the first study to document and highlight the global status of nonpartisan citizen observer rights, along with the lessons learned and the concerted efforts needed to ensure that the rights of citizen observers are respected, protected, and promoted. This research, the first of what GNDEM hopes will become a series, helps identify the trends and tactics used to limit the rights of citizen observers as well as offering insights on how citizen observers (and their allies) can protect and expand their rights.