News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
OSCE/ODIHR final report on early parliamentary elections in Serbia recommends comprehensive review of legislation and ensuring the level playing field for contestants
Publishing date: 29 July 2016
The final report by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on Serbia’s 24 April October 2016 early parliamentary elections recommends a comprehensive review of legislation to further improve election process.
OSCE/ODIHR final report on the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia’s postponed early parliamentary elections recommends continuing electoral reform process
Publishing date: 8 July 2016
The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) issued a final report on 8 July 2016 on the postponed early parliamentary elections in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, which were scheduled for 5 June 2016. The final report assesses whether the electoral process and activities conducted before the postponement of elections were in line with OSCE commitments, other international obligations and standards for democratic elections, and with national legislation.
Orderly election day, competitive campaign did not offset impact of late election law changes on Mongolia’s democratic development, international observers say
Publishing date: 30 June 2016
ULAANBAATAR, 30 June 2016 – Election day was orderly and followed a competitive campaign. This, however, did not offset the impact of late fundamental changes to election laws on Mongolia’s democratic development, the international observers concluded in a preliminary statement released today. While the June 29 parliamentary elections were highly contested and freedoms of assembly and association were respected, restrictive campaign provisions, coupled with the media’s subservience to political interests, limited impartial and comprehensive information available to voters, the statement says...
OSCE/ODIHR and Venice Commission meet on electoral reform in Armenia
Publishing date: 24 June 2016
On 24 June 2016, the working group of the Venice Commission and the OSCE/ODIHR held discussions with some representatives of the opposition on the on-going electoral reform in Armenia. It subsequently held a working meeting with Arpine Hohvanissyan, Minister of Justice and Davit Harutyunyan, Chief of Staff of the Government. Both meetings included discussions on the recent mutual agreement reached in Yerevan between the government and the opposition on the "organisational and technical mechanisms for oversight over the lawfulness of the electoral process".
OSCE/ODIHR publishes handbook on follow-up to election observation recommendations
Publishing date: 6 June 2016
The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on 6 June 2016 released a publication to assist OSCE participating States in better following up on recommendations from final reports by election observation missions.
OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Special Representative holds high-level meetings in Kyrgyzstan, delivers speech at OSCE Academy on conflict prevention
Publishing date: 3 June 2016
BISHKEK, 3 June 2016 – Wrapping up a two-day visit to Kyrgyzstan, which has included meetings with the Speaker of the Parliament, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and officials at the OSCE Centre in Bishkek, Special Representative for Central and Eastern Asia and Vice-President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Christine Muttonen spoke to students today at the OSCE Academy in Bishkek on conflict prevention and peace-building, noting the strengths of the OSCE’s approach, as well as areas for improvement...
In Georgia, OSCE PA Special Representative calls for calm in advance of elections, deplores shooting at administrative boundary line
Publishing date: 27 May 2016
TBILISI, 27 May 2016 – The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s Special Representative on the South Caucasus Kristian Vigenin (MP, Bulgaria), today concluded a two-day visit to Georgia...