News and press releases

TBILISI, 13 November 2017 – The 12 November mayoral run-off elections in six Georgian districts were well administered, candidates were able to compete freely and fundamental rights were generally respected in a shortened, low-key campaign, the election observers from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) concluded in a preliminary statement released today. At the same time, shortcomings in the process highlighted the need for improvements to the laws governing elections, the statement says...

Elections experts from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) met with electoral stakeholders in Belgrade on 1 and 2 November 2017 to present the final report of ODIHR’s election assessment mission for the presidential election in Serbia on 2 April 2017. The report’s

A team of election experts from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) visited Tirana from 30 October to 2 November to present the  final report by the OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission for the 25 June 2017 parliamentary elections in Albania. The report’s

SKOPJE, 30 October 2017 – The second round of mayoral elections in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia were competitive and respect for fundamental freedoms contributed towards conduct of democratic elections, the observers from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) concluded in a preliminary statement released today...

Mongolia’s presidential election was competitive and well-organized, but further efforts are required to address ambiguities and omissions related to key elements of the electoral process, including a potential run-off, concludes the final report  by election observers from the OSCE Office for

TBILISI, 22 October 2017 – Fundamental freedoms were generally respected in the 21 October local elections in Georgia, and candidates were able to campaign freely. Efficient administration of the elections and accurate voter registration contributed to the quality of the process, the international observers concluded in a preliminary statement released today. The entire context of the elections was shaped by the dominance of the ruling party, the observers said.

SKOPJE, 16 October 2017 – The holding of the 15 October municipal elections in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia contributed to strengthening confidence in the democratic process, international observers concluded in a preliminary statement released today. The elections took place in a competitive environment, with candidates generally able to campaign without restriction, and the fundamental freedoms of assembly and expression were respected overall. Some credible allegations of vote-buying, pressure on voters and isolated cases of violence occurred during the pre-election period. The monitored media provided unbiased coverage of contestants and facilitated the opportunity for political debate. Although some procedural irregularities were observed, election day generally proceeded in an orderly fashion, the observers said.