Guidelines to Assist National Minority Participation in the Electoral Process Page: 38 Assess to what extent there may be restrictions on the possibility for minority representation due to provisions in the process for nominating candidates, forming parties etc. Such restrictions may include: • Limitations on forming parties with a communal identity Language requirement for nominated candidates Assess Media Regulations The NAM should ascertain whether there are restrictions for national minorities to gain access to the media. Restrictions could include: - V. • A lack of media coverage in outlying areas populated by the national minority No broadcasting in language of national minority A lack of access for candidates / parties from national minorities Unequal coverage for candidate / parties from national minorities ROLE OF ELECTION OBSERVATION MISSION CORE TEAM Prepare Overview of National Minorities in Country One of the first tasks of an EOM should be to supplement an overview of the national minorities in the country. This overview could include: - • Identification of areas in which national minorities are present Identification of main issues raised by NAM / law review / other reports Identification of main parties / candidates / groups representing national minorities Incorporation of national minority areas into LTO deployment plan Briefing for LTOs deployed to these areas (see LTO below) Meet Representatives of Political and Civil Society on an On-Going Basis The EOM should continue to meet with representatives of government, parties, civil society and national minority groups throughout the mission, seeking to follow-up on issues and concerns. • Follow Registration of Voters and Compilation of Voter Lists Using information from LTO meetings and the on-going meetings with local representatives, follow issues raised in Table 2 above. • Civic and Voter Education Any voter education undertaken should also be in the languages of national minorities. Electionrelated information will normally include: - Information for prospective candidates