In 2004, the SCO member states drafted Regulations on the Observer Mission of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation at presidential and/or parliamentary elections, as well as at referendums. These regulations were approved by the SCO Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Shanghai in 2006. The document defines the general principles, organisational rules, and procedures for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation to act as an international observer at national votes, both within its member states and outside the SCO region.
The Mission’s conclusions are based on its own monitoring of the electoral process. This includes conversations with participants, official information and factual material provided by election commissions and government agencies responsible for preparing and conducting the voting process.
The period since 2004 has seen the establishment of 76 SCO Observer Missions, which testifies to a growing interest in the SCO’s work.
In 2025, the SCO Observer Mission took part in the following significant events:
- 26 January 2025, Presidential Elections, Republic of Belarus;
- 2 March 2025, Parliamentary Elections, Republic of Tajikistan;
- 30 November 2025, Parliamentary Elections, Kyrgyz Republic.