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News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
The holding of illegal ‘elections’ in occupied areas of Ukraine condemned by OSCE leaders
Publishing date: 7 September 2023
Content type: Press release
What we do: Elections
SKOPJE/WARSAW/COPENHAGEN, 7 September 2023- The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia Bujar Osmani, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Pia Kauma and the Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Matteo Mecacci, condemn the Russian Federation’s holding of so-called “elections” in Ukraine’s temporarily occupied territories.
ODIHR opens limited election observation mission in Poland
Publishing date: 4 September 2023
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Elections
WARSAW, 4 September 2023 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened a limited election observation mission for the 15 October 2023 parliamentary elections in Poland, following an invitation from the national authorities.
Estonia 2023 parliamentary elections: ODIHR election expert team final report
Publishing date: 31 August 2023
Content type: News
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Elections
The March 2023 parliamentary elections in Estonia were competitive and pluralistic and the election process, including internet voting, was administered efficiently, with minor technical difficulties. While trust in the internet vote remains high, some parties publicly questioned its integrity,
Bulgaria’s 2023 early parliamentary elections: ODIHR election observation mission final report
Publishing date: 27 July 2023
Content type: News
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Elections
The April 2023 early parliamentary elections in Bulgaria were competitive and well managed by the election administration, and fundamental freedoms were respected. The legal framework was adequate for the conduct of democratic elections, however, frequent changes eroded trust, undercut efficiency and complicated timely preparations.
ODIHR final observation reports on recent early elections in Kazakhstan offer recommendations to improve electoral process
Publishing date: 14 July 2023
Content type: News
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Elections
Kazakhstan’s 20 November 2022 early presidential and 19 March 2023 early parliamentary elections took place in the context of reforms aimed at bringing the country’s elections closer in line with international standards and OSCE commitments, but further changes to the legal framework are needed for
Uzbekistan’s presidential election lacked genuine political competition despite some efforts to reform, international observers say
Publishing date: 10 July 2023
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Elections
TASHKENT, 10 July 2023 – Uzbekistan’s early presidential election was technically well prepared but lacked genuine competition. Positively, recent reforms to the legal framework have taken some previous ODIHR recommendations into account, but fundamental freedoms remain restricted, the low-key campaign lacked meaningful engagement with voters, and significant procedural irregularities were observed on election day, international observers from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said in a statement today.
Montenegro’s parliamentary elections pluralistic and well-run but legal reform still needed, international observers say
Publishing date: 12 June 2023
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Elections
PODGORICA, 12 June 2023 – Montenegro’s early parliamentary elections were competitive and voters were offered a wide range of choices, but the process was weakened by legislative shortcomings as well as divisive campaign rhetoric and a polarized media environment, international observers said in a statement today.