News and press releases

WARSAW, 7 April 2020 – A genuine campaign and real public debate are just as important for democratic elections as the opportunity to vote, said the Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), following a vote in the Polish parliament on amendments to the electoral legislation ahead of the presidential election planned for next month...

Following the presidential election in Romania on 10 and 24 November 2019, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) has published its final report.   The report concludes that the 2019 presidential election was competitive, pluralistic, and offered voters a genuine

WARSAW, 17 March 2020 – Election observation activities of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) are being temporarily limited in some places, as countries around the OSCE region restrict cross-border travel in response to increased health risks...

Following the early parliamentary elections in Belarus on 17 November 2019, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) has published its final report. The report offers 32 recommendations to improve the conduct of elections and increase the transparency of and public

SKOPJE, 3 March 2020 – Following an invitation from the country’s authorities, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened an election observation mission for the 12 April early parliamentary elections in North Macedonia...

Following the parliamentary elections in Poland on 13 October 2019, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) has published its final report. The elections were prepared well, and contestants were able to campaign freely, but media bias and intolerant campaign rhetoric

BAKU, 10 February 2020 – The restrictive legislation and political environment prevented genuine competition in Azerbaijan’s early parliamentary elections, international observers said in a preliminary statement published today. Although some prospective candidates were denied the right to stand, candidate registration was otherwise inclusive. Despite the large number of candidates, voters were not provided with a meaningful choice, due to a lack of real political discussion, the statement says.