Germany: Citizen Observers Conduct Election Observation Mission for the 6 September Saxony-Anhalt State Election

Plattform Wahlen, an initiative of the European Platform for Democratic Elections (EPDE) and its German member, the European Exchange, is conducting an independent election observation mission based on international standards for the state elections in Saxony-Anhalt on 6 September 2026. Plattform Wahlen is the only domestic election observation initiative that follows the methods of international election observation (OSCE, Council of Europe, GNDEM).

With this mission, Plattform Wahlen pursues three goals:

• Support Saxony-Anhalt’s election administrations in securing and strengthening the high quality of democratic elections in Germany;
• Remind legislators of pending reform recommendations and international commitments to the OSCE and Council of Europe;
• Build competencies and regulatory foundations to better protect elections against Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI).

Plattform Wahlen deploys over 80 short-term and 12 long-term observers across Saxony-Anhalt. The long-term and short-term observation is supplemented by an analysis of Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) and bot networks (Coordinated Inauthentic Behaviour, CIB), prepared in cooperation with the Center for Monitoring, Analysis and Strategy (CeMAS).

“We are impressed by the great interest of citizens in Saxony-Anhalt in participating in the observation of their elections. With our 20 years of experience in international election observation, we are delighted that civil society election observation is now also taking root in Germany!” — Stefanie Schiffer, founder of Platform Elections.

A thorough election observation report will evaluate election preparation, election day procedures, and the integrity of the election, and formulate recommendations for improvement. The report will be presented in Magdeburg on the day after the election.

Find the full press release and further information on the website of Plattform Wahlen.

Foto: Landeszentrale für Politische Bildung Sachsen-Anhalt