News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
Russian presidential election well administered, but characterized by restrictions on fundamental freedoms, lack of genuine competition, international observers say
Publishing date: 19 March 2018
MOSCOW, 19 March 2018 – The 18 March presidential election in Russia took place in an overly controlled environment, marked by continued pressure on critical voices, while the Central Election Commission (CEC) administered the process efficiently and openly, the international observers concluded in a statement today. After intense efforts to promote turnout, citizens voted in significant numbers, yet restrictions on the fundamental freedoms, as well as on candidate registration, have limited the space for political engagement and resulted in a lack of genuine competition, the statement says...
High-level OSCE PA delegation in Baku emphasizes Azerbaijan’s potential as bridge for dialogue and co-operation
Publishing date: 12 March 2018
BAKU, 12 March 2018 – Highlighting Azerbaijan’s potential as a bridge for dialogue and co-operation in the OSCE area, a high-level delegation led by OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President George Tsereteli (MP, Georgia) today discussed with Azerbaijani counterparts upcoming domestic elections, as well as democratic and economic reforms in the country. The delegation underlined the important role that Azerbaijan plays in the region of the South Caucasus, and urged further efforts at economic and security co-operation...
ODIHR final report notes Czech parliamentary elections were competitive and pluralistic, recommends enhancing transparency and accountability of voter registration and campaign finance
Publishing date: 12 March 2018
The final report by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on the Czech Republic’s parliamentary elections, held on 20 and 21 October 2017, notes that the elections were competitive and pluralistic, and that the election administration operated efficiently and enjoyed
OSCE Mission to Montenegro hands over equipment to the State Election Commission
Publishing date: 12 March 2018
The OSCE Mission to Montenegro provided 11 laptops, three projectors and one printer to the State Election Commission (SEC) to further support the operational efficiency of the institution, on 9 March 2018 in Podgorica...
ODIHR shares expertise with Parliamentary Ad-hoc Committee on Electoral Reform in Albania
Publishing date: 9 March 2018
A team of experts from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) is providing assistance to the Parliamentary Ad-hoc Committee on Electoral Reform in following up on ODIHR electoral recommendations. As part of this assistance, the team, during a visit to Tirana from 7 to
OSCE Mission to Montenegro in co-operation with State Election Commission trains polling board trainers in preparation for presidential election
Publishing date: 9 March 2018
The OSCE Mission to Montenegro, in close collaboration with the State Election Commission (SEC) organized a two-day refresher training course for 25 trainers on 7 and 8 March 2018 in Podgorica...
OSCE/ODIHR opens observation mission for early presidential election in the Republic of Azerbaijan
Publishing date: 9 March 2018
BAKU, 9 March 2018 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today formally opened its election observation mission for the 11 April early presidential election in the Republic of Azerbaijan. The mission’s deployment follows an official invitation from the Azerbaijani authorities...