The report was drafted by José Ignacio SALAFRANCA SÁNCHEZ-NEYRA (EPP-ED, ES) and Véronique DE KEYSER (PES, BE) and considers that in absolute terms the holding of elections cannot be regarded as the sole indicator of democracy, but that, nevertheless, it has a positive effect on the democratisation process as measured by improvements in civil liberties, provided that political pluralism, freedom of assembly and association, freedom of expression, equal access to the media, secret ballots and respect for human rights are secured.
Atzīstot, ka vēlēšanu novērošana kļuvusi par veiksmīgu līdzekli demokrātijas atbalstam, īpaši attīstības valstīs, Eiropas Parlamenta deputāti tomēr norāda, ka "ES joprojām nav kopējas, vispusīgas stratēģijas demokrātijas vecināšanai".