News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
Genuine campaigning and public debate are vital for democratic elections, OSCE human rights head says
Publishing date: 7 April 2020
WARSAW, 7 April 2020 – A genuine campaign and real public debate are just as important for democratic elections as the opportunity to vote, said the Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), following a vote in the Polish parliament on amendments to the electoral legislation ahead of the presidential election planned for next month...
Romania presidential election 2019: ODIHR observation mission final report
Publishing date: 26 March 2020
Following the presidential election in Romania on 10 and 24 November 2019, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) has published its final report. The report concludes that the 2019 presidential election was competitive, pluralistic, and offered voters a genuine
ODIHR election observation activities temporarily limited as health risks increase
Publishing date: 17 March 2020
WARSAW, 17 March 2020 – Election observation activities of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) are being temporarily limited in some places, as countries around the OSCE region restrict cross-border travel in response to increased health risks...
Leaders of 2018 election observation mission welcome Georgia’s electoral reforms
Publishing date: 9 March 2020
COPENHAGEN, 9 March 2020 – In response to the agreement reached on Sunday between the government and the opposition on a package of electoral reforms in Georgia, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Vice-Presidents Margareta Cederfelt (MP, Sweden) and Kristian Vigenin (MP, Bulgaria) issued the following statement:...
Belarus early parliamentary elections 2019: ODIHR observation mission final report
Publishing date: 4 March 2020
Following the early parliamentary elections in Belarus on 17 November 2019, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) has published its final report. The report offers 32 recommendations to improve the conduct of elections and increase the transparency of and public
ODIHR opens election observation mission in North Macedonia
Publishing date: 3 March 2020
SKOPJE, 3 March 2020 – Following an invitation from the country’s authorities, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened an election observation mission for the 12 April early parliamentary elections in North Macedonia...
OSCE Mission to Montenegro and Centre for Monitoring and Research meet to discuss electoral integrity and possibilities for co-operation
Publishing date: 19 February 2020
A meeting on 17 February 2020 in Podgorica between Zlatko Vujović, chair of the governing board, Centre for Monitoring and Research (CeMI) and Darko Brajović, National Programme Officer, OSCE Mission concluded that both national and international observers have an important role in the electoral process to enhance citizens’ confidence in elections and safeguard transparency.