News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
Elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina held in competitive environment, but inter-ethnic divide and mistrust remain key factors, international observers say
Publishing date: 13 October 2014
SARAJEVO, 13 October 2014 – While the 12 October general elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina were held in a competitive environment, the inter-ethnic divide was a key factor. The lack of a shared vision in the country’s future and of co-operation among the three constituent peoples continues to hinder the reforms necessary to fully ensure democratic elections, and a growing mistrust in the functioning of democratic institutions endangers stability, international observers said in a statement today. At the same time, candidates were able to campaign freely and fundamental freedoms of expression, association and assembly were respected...
Although elections in Bulgaria were well administered, lack of campaign substance and allegations of vote buying continue to harm public confidence, international observers say
Publishing date: 6 October 2014
SOFIA, 6 October 2014 – Although Bulgaria’s early parliamentary elections on 5 October were well administered technically and fundamental freedoms were respected, allegations from all sides of vote buying and selling and other election irregularities, as well as a campaign that lacked substance continued to negatively affect public confidence in the integrity of the process, international observers said in a statement issued today...
OSCE Mission launches workshops for NGOs on monitoring electoral bodies in Kosovo
Publishing date: 1 October 2014
On 29 and 30 September 2014, in Prishtinë/Priština, the OSCE Mission in Kosovo held the first in a series of five workshops for ten local NGOs on monitoring the performance of election management bodies...
OSCE supported training on election legislation for administrative and local court judges ahead of Ukraine’s early parliamentary vote
Publishing date: 1 October 2014
More than 450 administrative and local court judges from all over Ukraine were trained to review election-related disputes at a series of seminars held from 17 September to 1 October 2014 by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine and the Higher Administrative Court of Ukraine...
OSCE, Gender Centre of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina launch video to promote women’s political participation
Publishing date: 30 September 2014
SARAJEVO, 30 September 2014- The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Gender Centre of the Government of the Federation of BiH launched a short video today to highlight the urgent need for women to have stronger representation in political life.
OSCE and BiH Central Election Commission continue co-operation, renew memorandum of understanding
Publishing date: 25 September 2014
SARAJEVO, 25 September 2014 – OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina renewed its Memorandum of Understanding with the Central Election Commission of BiH in Sarajevo today...
OSCE PA’s Harstedt stresses right to vote for Ukrainian citizens in Russia
Publishing date: 25 September 2014
COPENHAGEN, 25 September 2014 – Kent Harstedt (MP, Sweden), the Special Co-ordinator of the short-term OSCE observer mission for Ukraine’s parliamentary elections, has met with Ukraine’s Charge d’Affaires in Moscow to discuss opportunities for Ukrainian citizens in Russia to participate in the upcoming vote...