Does Political Party Aid Compensate for the Limitations of International Elections Observation?

Abstract

International elections observation cannot make an election free and fair. In any case this would not guarantee well-institutionalised political parties and party competition or the consolidation of liberal democracy. Parties influence elections. Could international assistance to parties help compensate for the limitations of elections observation? The reality is that party aid has limitations of its own. Closer coordination of elections and party support may offer a partial solution but is not unproblematic.