OSCE team to scrutinise election

The OSCE promotes democracy and human rights in Europe

The general election will be the first ever poll in the UK to be monitored by a team from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

Kare Vollan, who will head the OSCE assessment mission, said his team would report on the "total election process", including postal voting.

The OSCE usually monitors elections in transition democracies, but is now starting to look at traditional ones.

Mr Vollan said he was keen to look at an old democracy using new standards.

It is of interest to look at an old democracy and assess that against new standards which have evolved during the last fifteen years Kare Vollan OSCE OSCE profile

He said the team of 11 monitors would review the legal framework and conduct interviews with the candidates.

Mr Vollan said: "It is of interest to look at an old democracy and assess that against new standards which have evolved during the past 15 years."

He added: "Obviously we would look at postal voting.

"There are two issues - the security and secrecy of the vote which has to be balanced, but we won't make any comment before the final report."

The OSCE, which aims to promote democracy and human rights in Europe, is based in Austria and boasts around 3, 500 staff.