News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
OSCE election observation leaders in Turkey complete multi-city visit
Publishing date: 29 October 2015
ANKARA, 29 October 2015 – The OSCE Special Co-ordinator for observation of the early parliamentary elections in Turkey, Ignacio Sanchez Amor (MP, Spain), and the Head of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Delegation of observers, Margareta Cederfelt (MP, Sweden), visited the center, east and west of the country this week in preparation for the 1 November vote.
Ukraine local elections generally respected democratic process, but additional efforts needed to enhance public confidence, international observers say
Publishing date: 26 October 2015
KYIV, 26 October 2015 – Ukraine’s local elections were competitive and well organized overall, and the campaign generally showed respect for the democratic process, international observers concluded in a statement issued today. Nevertheless, the complexity of the legal framework, the dominance of powerful economic groups, threats and physical attacks against candidates, and the fact that virtually all campaign coverage in the media was paid for all underscore the need for further reform. Additional efforts are needed to further enhance the integrity of and public confidence in the electoral process, the observers said...
OSCE parliamentarians to observe early parliamentary elections in Turkey
Publishing date: 19 October 2015
COPENHAGEN, 19 October 2015 – OSCE parliamentarians will observe the upcoming early parliamentary elections in Turkey and provide leadership for the OSCE's short-term observer mission...
OSCE/ODIHR presents recommendations from final report on 2015 local elections in Albania
Publishing date: 16 October 2015
Elections experts from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) met with electoral stakeholders in Tirana from 14 to 16 October 2015 to present recommendations from the final report on the 21 June 2015 local elections in Albania.
Kazakhstan’s officials learn about best practices in election administration during OSCE-supported study visit to Finland
Publishing date: 16 October 2015
The OSCE Programme Office in Astana and Finland’s Foreign Ministry organized a study tour to Helsinki for four members of Kazakhstan’s Central Election Commission (CEC) from 12 to 16 October 2015, with the aim of acquainting them with the institutional and legal framework of Finland’s election system and its election administration...
Reforms needed to address substantial shortcomings in Belarus election, international observers say, after peaceful presidential campaign
Publishing date: 12 October 2015
MINSK, 12 October 2015 – The 11 October election once again indicated that Belarus still has a considerable way to go in meeting its OSCE commitments for democratic elections. This underscores the need for the political will to engage in a comprehensive reform process, the international observers concluded in a preliminary statement released today. Some specific improvements and a welcoming attitude were noted. Some significant problems, particularly during the counting and tabulation of votes, undermined the integrity of the election. The campaign and election day were peaceful, the statement says...
Reforms needed to address substantial shortcomings in Belarus election, international observers say, after peaceful presidential campaign
Publishing date: 12 October 2015
MINSK, 12 October 2015 – The 11 October election once again indicated that Belarus still has a considerable way to go in meeting its OSCE commitments for democratic elections. This underscores the need for the political will to engage in a comprehensive reform process, the international observers concluded in a preliminary statement released today. Some specific improvements and a welcoming attitude were noted. Some significant problems, particularly during the counting and tabulation of votes, undermined the integrity of the election. The campaign and election day were peaceful, the statement says...