OSCE/ODIHR opens election observation mission in Ukraine
The OSCE monitors the conduct of elections in participating States. (Lubomir Kotek/OSCE) Photo details
KYIV, 26 February 2002 - Following an invitation from the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) has established an Election Observation Mission in Ukraine to monitor the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for 31 March.
The OSCE/ODIHR Observation Mission, headed by Ambassador Michael G. Wygant, consists of 35 election experts and long-term observers from 20 OSCE participating States. Observers will be deployed across Ukraine to assess compliance of the election process with OSCE commitments and national legislation. A small advance team started monitoring the media situation on 9 February 2002.
Ambassador Gérard Stoudmann, the Director of the OSCE/ODIHR, will visit Kyiv early next week to discuss preparations for the elections with the Ukrainian authorities. A press conference is scheduled to take place on 5 March at 11:30 in Kyiv, Hotel Express, Bulvar Tarasa Shevchenko 38/40, 4th floor, conference hall.
The OSCE/ODIHR has requested the OSCE participating States to send 250 short-term observers to monitor voting, counting of ballots, delivery of polling station results, and vote tabulation at all levels. They will arrive in Ukraine shortly before election day.
On the day after the election, the Election Observation Mission will issue a statement of preliminary findings and conclusions. The OSCE/ODIHR will issue a comprehensive final report about a month after the completion of the election process.
The OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission and the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine operate separately under their specific mandates.
The OSCE/ODIHR Observation Mission, headed by Ambassador Michael G. Wygant, consists of 35 election experts and long-term observers from 20 OSCE participating States. Observers will be deployed across Ukraine to assess compliance of the election process with OSCE commitments and national legislation. A small advance team started monitoring the media situation on 9 February 2002.
Ambassador Gérard Stoudmann, the Director of the OSCE/ODIHR, will visit Kyiv early next week to discuss preparations for the elections with the Ukrainian authorities. A press conference is scheduled to take place on 5 March at 11:30 in Kyiv, Hotel Express, Bulvar Tarasa Shevchenko 38/40, 4th floor, conference hall.
The OSCE/ODIHR has requested the OSCE participating States to send 250 short-term observers to monitor voting, counting of ballots, delivery of polling station results, and vote tabulation at all levels. They will arrive in Ukraine shortly before election day.
On the day after the election, the Election Observation Mission will issue a statement of preliminary findings and conclusions. The OSCE/ODIHR will issue a comprehensive final report about a month after the completion of the election process.
The OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission and the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine operate separately under their specific mandates.