ODIHR deploys long-term election observation mission to Ukraine

KYIV, 13 August 2007 - The OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) has opened an election observation mission for the 30 September parliamentary elections in Ukraine.

The deployment of the mission follows an invitation from Ukraine's Foreign Ministry to observe the elections.

The mission, headed by Ambassador Audrey Glover, includes 17 experts based in Kyiv. The ODIHR has requested that OSCE participating States second 60 long-term observers, who will be deployed around the country, as well as a further 600 short-term observers to monitor activities on election day, including the opening of polling stations, voting, the vote count, and the tabulation of results.

The mission will assess the elections' compliance with OSCE commitments for democratic elections and other international standards, as well as with national legislation.

Observers will closely monitor campaign activities, the work of the election administration and relevant governmental bodies, election-related legislation and its implementation, the media environment, and the resolution of election-related disputes.

The mission intends to join efforts with short-term observers from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the European Parliament, and the Parliamentary Assembly of NATO.

The ODIHR observation mission and the Office of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine operate independently under separate mandates.