The Warsaw-based Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) was invited by the Department of Foreign Affairs to observe the election. It concluded that the Electoral Act, which governs election spending, was "rendered obsolete" because of its narrow scope.

The act provides for spending limits for candidates but these kick in only once an election is called, allowing for wholesale spending in the preelection months.

"Practice shows that actual campaign spending begins long before the stipulated period and some interlocutors expressed the view that spending in the pre-election period renders spending limits almost obsolete, " the report said.

The body recommended that consideration be given to amending the act to "extend the reporting period and once the election is called to undertake a backward review of accounts".

The 1997 act originally had a provision to include all spending but this was amended the following year to include only the actual campaign. Small parties and independents have constantly complained that the law is therefore useless in controlling spending.

The ODIHR also emphasised the need for more privacy in small polling stations and better facilities for people with disabilities. It also called for an overhaul of the electoral register.