- It was set up in 1991 to help member states to build credible and sustainable national electoral systems.
- The UN electoral assistance is based on the principle established in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
- According to it, “the will of the people, as expressed through periodic and genuine elections, shall be the basis of government authority”.
- Under this programme, UN has assisted over 100 countries with their elections.
- Though it principally provides technical assistance for conducting elections, it has also sent observers at the request of the General Assembly or the Security Council to ensure the integrity of elections conducted at different countries.