News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
Project Co-Ordinator in Uzbekistan holds training on international human rights standards and physical accessibility of courts and polling stations for persons with disabilities
Publishing date: 19 May 2021
The OSCE Project Co-Ordinator in Uzbekistan (PCUz) organized a series of training courses for civil society representatives and members from the Association of Disabled People of Uzbekistan on topics related to the physical accessibility to courts and polling stations of persons with disabilities. The courses started online on 17 May 2021. The series will be conducted through 10 June...
ODIHR opens election observation mission in Armenia
Publishing date: 19 May 2021
YEREVAN, 19 May 2021 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened an election observation mission for the 20 June early parliamentary elections in Armenia, following an invitation from the national authorities....
OSCE Mission to Montenegro works with NGOs to improve accessibility on polling day
Publishing date: 7 May 2021
Representative from the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, the Association of Youth with Disabilities and the Union of the Blind of Montenegro worked together to produce guidelines for municipal electoral commissions on improving accessibility of polling stations.
Albania’s elections saw inclusive campaigning and improved administration, but misuse of state resources was of concern, international observers say
Publishing date: 26 April 2021
TIRANA, 26 April 2021 – The Albanian parliamentary elections were characterized by a lively and inclusive campaign, thanks to a legal framework that helped ensure respect of fundamental freedoms. At the same time the campaign saw authorities taking advantage of public office and allegations of pervasive vote buying, international observers said in a statement today...
OSCE Presence concludes national voter education campaign ahead of parliamentary elections in Albania
Publishing date: 23 April 2021
On 22 April 2021, the OSCE Presence in Albania concluded a three-month national voter education campaign ahead of the 25 April parliamentary elections. The campaign — conducted in close co-operation with the Central Election Commission — aimed at informing citizens about Electoral Code amendments, and encouraged their participation in the elections...
OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina calls on citizens of Travnik and Foča (FBiH) to use the opportunity and vote
Publishing date: 9 April 2021
On 11 April 2021, the citizens of Travnik and Foča in the Federation of BiH municipality will vote again to elect their mayors, after the deaths of formerly elected mayors Mirsad Peco and Esed Radeljaš.
Bulgaria’s competitive parliamentary elections well run, but impacted by media shortcomings and significant ruling-party advantage, international observers say
Publishing date: 5 April 2021
SOFIA, 5 April 2021 –Bulgaria’s parliamentary elections were competitive and efficiently run despite the difficult circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and fundamental freedoms were respected. However, the massive use of state resources gave the ruling party a significant advantage, and a lack of editorial diversity was of concern, international observers said in a statement today...