News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
No OSCE observers for Russian parliamentary elections following major limitations
Publishing date: 4 August 2021
WARSAW/COPENHAGEN, 4 August 2021 — The OSCE will not be able to send observers for the upcoming elections to the Duma due to limitations imposed by Russian Federation authorities on the election observation, leaders of the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and its Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA) announced today.
Albania’s 2021 parliamentary elections: OSCE/ODIHR observation mission final report
Publishing date: 26 July 2021
The 2021 parliamentary elections in Albania offered voters a choice of candidates, who were able to campaign freely, and fundamental freedoms were generally respected. However, the ruling party had a significant advantage, both from its control of local administrations and the misuse of
Netherlands parliamentary elections 2021: OSCE/ODIHR election expert team final report
Publishing date: 19 July 2021
The 17 March parliamentary elections in the Netherlands took place under a legal framework that was temporarily changed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This introduced early voting and expanded the use of proxy and postal voting. While the elections were well managed, some longstanding issues
Fundamental freedoms generally respected in Bulgarian elections, but media shortcomings, lack of issue-driven campaign fail to engage voters, observers say
Publishing date: 12 July 2021
SOFIA, 12 July 2021 – Bulgaria’s early parliamentary elections were competitive and fundamental freedoms were generally respected, international observers said in a statement today. The campaign environment was dominated by mutual accusations of corruption between the former ruling party and the provisional government, as well as by efforts by law-enforcement to curb vote-buying, the statement says.
Moldova’s early parliamentary elections were competitive and well run despite the inadequate handling of election disputes and campaign finance issues, international observers say
Publishing date: 12 July 2021
CHISINAU, 12 July 2021 – Moldova’s early parliamentary elections were well managed amidst an improved legal framework and voters were offered a wide choice of alternatives, but concerns over the impartiality of the election authorities undermined trust while inadequate campaign finance rules left potential breaches unaddressed, international observers said in a statement today.
Armenia’s early parliamentary elections were competitive and well run, but polarized and marred by aggressive rhetoric, international observers say
Publishing date: 21 June 2021
YEREVAN, 21 June 2021 –Armenia’s early parliamentary elections were competitive and well-managed within a short time frame. However, they were characterized by intense polarization and marred by increasingly inflammatory language from key contestants, as well as by the sidelining of women throughout the campaign, international observers said in a statement today...
Candidates in Mongolia’s presidential election could campaign freely, but eligibility and media rules remain excessively restrictive, international observers say
Publishing date: 10 June 2021
ULAANBAATAR, 10 June 2021 – Mongolia’s presidential election was well run in difficult circumstances and candidates were able to reach out freely to voters, but overly restrictive candidate eligibility and the blurred line between journalism and political advertising as well as the absence of public debate limited the range of choices and information for voters, international observers from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said in a statement today...