Whilst international election observation continues to play a key role in the observance of international standards in post-totalitarian transformation states and has received the most international attention and publicity, the importance of domestic election observation has grown significantly over the last few years in the eyes of experts, politicians and civil society. Election observation by domestic observer groups can help to deter violations and promote confidence in the honesty and integrity of the electoral process. Domestic election observation is not only a means of providing alternative, independent findings on the election process and of communicating them to the electorate, but is also an important instrument for empowering and qualifying the monitoring and watchdog capacities of civil societies in transformation countries. It also serves to strengthen democratic forces in countries where free elections are at risk.