Why did you want to become an election observer?

– As a journalist, I have followed several elections around the world, and I have wanted to become an election observer for a long time. For me, the work as an election observer is a way of contributing to the promotion of democracy and human rights in an international environment. The methodology for election observation that is used by both the EU and the OSCE aims at ensuring neutrality and independence. For example, you always work in pairs with a partner from another member state. We are invited by the country itself, so you know that they have an interest in the mission’s observations and recommendations, which makes the work feel meaningful.

What does a normal day look like?

– As a long-time observer, I meet and interview representatives from political parties, authorities, civil society organizations, security forces and voters. I also observe the election campaign and the voting procedure on election day. No day is the same, you never know what will happen next.

– Right now I am stationed in one of Timor-Leste’s poorest regions. Everyone is very welcoming and happy about the EU’s presence, so it is easy to get access to the different actors. My Bulgarian colleague and I have interviewed several presidential candidates, including the current president. Instead, there have been practical challenges such as finding and cooking food. It feels a bit unreal to interview the country’s president and in the next moment walk around with a machete looking for firewood to be able to cook food.

– This work requires flexibility and the ability to adapt. On the first day in our region, we saw an enormous saltwater crocodile, and the local doctor warned us about going too close to the water as the crocodiles regularly catch both humans and livestock.