The last OSCE observation of an NI election was in 2003. In their report:
https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/8/c/19324.pdf
a major recommendation suggested that, “…the law should be amended to restrict campaign activity on election day or to prohibit such activities within a certain distance from the entrance to the polling station.” (Section VIII, para 2.)
This concerns not only the activists outside the polling stations, but also the candidates’ agents inside! As the report itself notes, “(while) Laws prohibit any information from leaving the polling station… several parties acknowledged that agents release information about who has or has not voted to party members waiting outside the polling station so that efforts can be made to get late voters to the polls.” (Section VII, sub-section C, para 2.) This horrible practice continues and was observed again in 2022, as stated in a local report of those elections:
http://www.deborda.org/home/2022/5/10/2022-7-ni-assembly-elections.html
Accordingly, the undersigned call upon the EONI, with perhaps the support of the NI Electoral Commission, to limit the role of party activists and candidates’ agents on polling day, not only to be more in line with international standards, but to make NI elections fairer to all concerned, especially the voters.
Endorsed by:
Jonny Clark Corrymeela
Peter Emerson The de Borda Institute
Roy Garland
Wes Holmes New Ireland Group
Prof. Monica McWilliams UU, formerly of the Women's Coalition
Malachi O'Doherty
Tommy Sands
and signing in a personal capacity,
Rob Fairmichael INNATE
with support from political parties coming from:
Naomi Long Alliance
Mal O'Hara Green Party