Newsroom
OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission in Ukraine
KYIV 24 September 1999
KYIV, 24 September 1999 - An Election Observation Mission in Ukraine for the 31 October presidential election is being established by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR). The mission is being set up following the invitation from the Delegation of Ukraine in Vienna.
Mr. Simon Osborn of the United Kingdom has been appointed as Head of the ODIHR Election Observation Mission.
The Election Observation Mission has requested 24 long-term and 200 short-term observers from OSCE participating States. The long-term observers will be deployed, starting immediately, across Ukraine to assess the pre-electoral processes, including the election campaign and implementation of legal provisions governing elections. The short-term observers will be deployed throughout the country to observe voting and counting on 31 October, and in the days following the election. The ODIHR Election Observation Mission will remain in country until the election process is completed.
The purpose of election observation is to assess the elections against OSCE commitments on democratic elections as agreed in the Copenhagen Document of 1990 and the Laws of Ukraine.
The ODIHR Election Observation Mission to the 1998 parliamentary elections noted that harassment, violence and intimidation in many spheres marred those elections. The 1999 ODIHR Election Observation Mission will pay particular attention to the same issues and the situation of the mass media in Ukraine, neutrality of state officials, and timely and legal resolution of any election-related appeals and disputes.
The ODIHR Election Observation Mission plans to issue a preliminary statement based on its long and short-term findings, in a press conference shortly after election day. A final report will be issued within 30 days after the publication of the final results.
MEDIA CONTACTS: Simon Osborn, OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission to Ukraine, tel: (+380-44) 220 1469; (+380-44) 220 10 36; (+380-44) 227 1141; or Elsa Fenet, ODIHR, Warsaw, tel: (+48-22) 620 06 00, or fax: (+48-22) 628 69 67.
Mr. Simon Osborn of the United Kingdom has been appointed as Head of the ODIHR Election Observation Mission.
The Election Observation Mission has requested 24 long-term and 200 short-term observers from OSCE participating States. The long-term observers will be deployed, starting immediately, across Ukraine to assess the pre-electoral processes, including the election campaign and implementation of legal provisions governing elections. The short-term observers will be deployed throughout the country to observe voting and counting on 31 October, and in the days following the election. The ODIHR Election Observation Mission will remain in country until the election process is completed.
The purpose of election observation is to assess the elections against OSCE commitments on democratic elections as agreed in the Copenhagen Document of 1990 and the Laws of Ukraine.
The ODIHR Election Observation Mission to the 1998 parliamentary elections noted that harassment, violence and intimidation in many spheres marred those elections. The 1999 ODIHR Election Observation Mission will pay particular attention to the same issues and the situation of the mass media in Ukraine, neutrality of state officials, and timely and legal resolution of any election-related appeals and disputes.
The ODIHR Election Observation Mission plans to issue a preliminary statement based on its long and short-term findings, in a press conference shortly after election day. A final report will be issued within 30 days after the publication of the final results.
MEDIA CONTACTS: Simon Osborn, OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission to Ukraine, tel: (+380-44) 220 1469; (+380-44) 220 10 36; (+380-44) 227 1141; or Elsa Fenet, ODIHR, Warsaw, tel: (+48-22) 620 06 00, or fax: (+48-22) 628 69 67.