OSCE/ODIHR experts discuss electoral recommendations with Lithuanian officials, civil society and media in Vilnius
Experts from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) visited Vilnius from 21 to 22 March 2017 to present the final report of ODIHR’s election assessment mission for the 9 October 2016 parliamentary elections in Lithuania.
The report’s findings and recommendations were presented at a roundtable discussion organized by the parliament, with the participation of representatives from the Central Election Commission, parliamentary parties, government ministries, the Constitutional Court and civil society.
The ODIHR representatives noted that the elections were competitive and administered in a professional and transparent manner. They drew attention to recommendations on lifting restrictions on candidate rights, as well as adjusting the deadlines for the submission of candidate nomination documents.
“The holding of a parliamentary meeting to consider improvements to electoral legislation is a positive step that demonstrates good practice in the follow-up of ODIHR’s electoral recommendations,” said Richard Lappin, Deputy Head of OSCE/ODIHR Elections Department. “Today’s inclusive discussions provide a sound platform to further improve electoral processes in Lithuania and ODIHR is ready to support such efforts.”
The participants further discussed, among other topics, introducing special measures to facilitate the electoral participation of women, national minorities and persons with disabilities, lifting criminal liability for defamation and introducing proportionate, effective and dissuasive sanctions for campaign finance violations.
Discussions in a separate meeting with representatives of the Radio and Television Commission, the Office of the Inspector of Journalist Ethics and the Central Election Commission focused on the effective functioning of media oversight during elections and processes for handling media-related complaints.
All OSCE participating States have committed themselves to promptly follow up on ODIHR election assessments and recommendations.