News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
ODIHR opens election observation mission in Georgia
Publishing date: 26 August 2021
TBILISI, 26 August 2021 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened an election observation mission (EOM) for the 2 October local elections in Georgia, following an invitation from the national authorities...
No OSCE observers for Russian parliamentary elections following major limitations
Publishing date: 4 August 2021
WARSAW/COPENHAGEN, 4 August 2021 — The OSCE will not be able to send observers for the upcoming elections to the Duma due to limitations imposed by Russian Federation authorities on the election observation, leaders of the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and its Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA) announced today.
OSCE Mission to Montenegro underscores importance of election of new State Election Commission Chair
Publishing date: 26 July 2021
The OSCE Mission to Montenegro welcomes the Parliament’s decision to start the process of appointing a new Chair of the State Election Commission and encourages the Parliament to complete the process before the summer recess...
Albania’s 2021 parliamentary elections: OSCE/ODIHR observation mission final report
Publishing date: 26 July 2021
The 2021 parliamentary elections in Albania offered voters a choice of candidates, who were able to campaign freely, and fundamental freedoms were generally respected. However, the ruling party had a significant advantage, both from its control of local administrations and the misuse of
Netherlands parliamentary elections 2021: OSCE/ODIHR election expert team final report
Publishing date: 19 July 2021
The 17 March parliamentary elections in the Netherlands took place under a legal framework that was temporarily changed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This introduced early voting and expanded the use of proxy and postal voting. While the elections were well managed, some longstanding issues
Fundamental freedoms generally respected in Bulgarian elections, but media shortcomings, lack of issue-driven campaign fail to engage voters, observers say
Publishing date: 12 July 2021
SOFIA, 12 July 2021 – Bulgaria’s early parliamentary elections were competitive and fundamental freedoms were generally respected, international observers said in a statement today. The campaign environment was dominated by mutual accusations of corruption between the former ruling party and the provisional government, as well as by efforts by law-enforcement to curb vote-buying, the statement says.
Moldova’s early parliamentary elections were competitive and well run despite the inadequate handling of election disputes and campaign finance issues, international observers say
Publishing date: 12 July 2021
CHISINAU, 12 July 2021 – Moldova’s early parliamentary elections were well managed amidst an improved legal framework and voters were offered a wide choice of alternatives, but concerns over the impartiality of the election authorities undermined trust while inadequate campaign finance rules left potential breaches unaddressed, international observers said in a statement today.