OSCE/ODIHR presents final report on presidential and municipal elections in Bulgaria

An expert team from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) presented, from 7 to 9 May 2012 in Sofia, the final report of the Limited Election Observation Mission to the October 2011 presidential and municipal elections in Bulgaria.

During the visit, the experts met with representatives from the state authorities, political parties, civil society organizations and the international community to discuss the report’s findings, as well as its recommendations on bringing election-related legislation and practice into line with OSCE commitments and other international standards. The experts also discussed how ODIHR could support implementation of the report’s recommendations, if requested by the Bulgarian authorities,

The report’s recommendations focus on increasing transparency in the work of the central election commission, addressing problems in the system of resolving electoral disputes and in the campaign finance regime, and on promoting the greater participation of national minorities.

All OSCE participating States have committed themselves to promptly follow up ODIHR’s election assessments and recommendations.