Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe

Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights

ODIHR deploys election observation missions to OSCE participating States to assess the implementation of OSCE commitments relating to elections. The Office also conducts technical-assistance projects and legislative reviews.

A polling station official prepares for the start of voting in Bulgaria’s early parliamentary elections, Sofia, 12 May 2013.

OSCE/ODIHR report on Bulgaria’s early parliamentary elections recommends measures to strengthen public confidence in electoral process and improve media coverage

The early parliamentary elections in Bulgaria on 12 May 2013 were held in a competitive environment, but further efforts are needed to strengthen public confidence in the process and ensure balanced media coverage, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights concludes in its final report on the vote...

Former President of the United States Jimmy Carter and OSCE/ODIHR Director Janez Lenarčič discussed recommendations from ODIHR’s final report on last year’s general elections in the US during a presentation at the Carter Center, Atlanta, 17 July 2013.

ODIHR Director presents recommendations on 2012 US elections to state and civil society representatives

Recommendations from the final report on last year’s general elections in the United States were presented by a team from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) at the Carter Center in Atlanta and the summer conference of the National Association of Secretaries of State in Anchorage between 17 and 19 July 2013...

The view from the Narikala Citadel over Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. ODIHR deployed an Election Expert Team to Tbilisi to observe the parliamentary by-elections on 27 April 2013.

Parliamentary by-elections in Georgia on 27 April competitive, says OSCE/ODIHR in final report, recommends improvements to legal framework

The parliamentary by-elections held in Georgia on 27 April 2013 were competitive and candidates were able to campaign freely, but aspects of the legal framework could benefit from further review, concludes the final report by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) released on 9 July 2013...

A Karpoš Municipality electoral board during the second round of the municipal elections in Skopje, 7 April 2013.

OSCE/ODIHR final report on municipal elections in former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia recommends improvements to electoral code and voter lists

Municipal elections in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia were efficiently administered, but further efforts are required to address gaps and ambiguities in the electoral code and improve confidence in the voter lists, concludes the final report by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR)...

ODIHR Director Ambassador Janez Lenarčič (l) and his interpreter Munkhjargal Dorjgotov examine voting lists in the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar. OSCE/ODIHR deployed a standard Election Observation Mission to Ulaanbaatar for the 26 June 2013 presidential election.

Mongolia’s election competitive and effectively administered, but restrictive and inconsistent legal framework could be improved, observers say

ULAANBAATAR, 27 June 2013 – Mongolia’s presidential election was characterized by a competitive campaign conducted in an environment that respected fundamental freedoms, concluded the OSCE election observation mission in a statement released today...

The town of Budva, on Montenegro’s coast. Following an official invitation from Montenegro’s parliament, and in accordance with its mandate, OSCE/ODIHR deployed a Limited Election Observation Mission for the 2013 presidential election.

Public confidence in electoral process could be strengthened, OSCE/ODIHR final report on Montenegro’s April 2013 presidential polls concludes

Montenegro’s presidential election on 7 April 2013 was professionally and efficiently administered but further steps are required to increase public confidence in the electoral process, concludes the final report by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR)...

A man scanning the voters list for his name outside a polling station in Elbasan during the Albanian presidential elections, 23 June 2013.

Albania’s elections active and competitive, but mistrust between political forces tainted the environment, international observers say

TIRANA, 24 June 2013 – Albania’s parliamentary elections on 23 June were competitive with active citizen participation throughout the campaign and genuine respect for fundamental freedoms...

Following an invitation from the authorities of Iceland to observe the 27 April 2013 parliamentary elections, ODIHR deployed an Election Assessment Mission for these elections.

Iceland parliamentary elections pluralistic and transparent, says OSCE/ODIHR final report, recommends measures to strengthen legal framework

The 27 April 2013 parliamentary elections in Iceland were conducted in a pluralistic and transparent manner, but certain aspects of the electoral legal framework could benefit from further review, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) says in its final report, which was released on 24 June 2013...