A. von Bogdandy and R. Wolfrum, (eds.), Max Planck Yearbook of United Nations Law, Volume 13, 2009, p. 213-246. © 2009 Koninklijke Brill N.V. Printed in The Netherlands. Two Decades of International Electoral Support: Challenges and Added Value Christina Binder * I. Introduction II. Applicable Standards 1. International Human Rights Law a. Universal Instruments b. Regional Instruments 2. Political Commitments Adopted in the Ambit of International Organiza- tions III. International Electoral Support Activities 1. Overview 2. Methodology and Organization of an Election Observation Mission (EOM) 3. Electoral Assistance 4. Résumé IV. Impact of International Electoral Support 1. Added Value of International Electoral Support a. Precise Standards b. Presence of Observers c. Technical and/or Financial Assistance and Support d. (De-)Legitimating Process and Results e. Recommendations 2. Limitations/Challenges to International Electoral Support a. General Considerations of National Sovereignty b. Political and Human Rights Situation in the Country c. Intra-Organizational Problems d. Inter-Organizational Problems e. General Limits of International Electoral Support V. Conclusion * Christina Binder participated as short term observer in EOMs to Azerbai- jan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Moldova (with the OSCE) and to Venezuela and Nepal (with the EU). She also worked as legal analyst for the EU EOMs to Ecuador (2007, 2009) and Rwanda (2008).