Newsroom
News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
Georgia’s elections marred by an uneven playing field, pressure and tension, but voters were offered a wide choice: international observers
Publishing date: 27 October 2024
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Elections
TBILISI, 27 October 2024 –While voters were offered a choice between 18 candidate lists and candidates could generally campaign freely, Georgia’s parliamentary elections were marred by entrenched polarization and concerns over recently adopted legislation and its impact on fundamental freedoms and civil society, as well as highly divisive campaign rhetoric and widespread reports of pressure on voters, international observers said in a statement today.
Moldova’s election and referendum well-managed and competitive, despite serious attempts to undermine its integrity, international observers say
Publishing date: 21 October 2024
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Elections
CHISINAU, 21 October 2024 – Moldova’s 20 October presidential election and constitutional referendum were well-managed, and contestants campaigned freely in an environment characterized by concerns over illicit foreign interference and active disinformation efforts. While this affected the integrity of the process, additionally, campaign conditions did not allow for a level playing field among contestants, international observers said in a preliminary statement released today.
Local elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina were competitive amidst legal reform but lacked genuine public engagement, international observers say
Publishing date: 7 October 2024
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Elections
SARAJEVO – Yesterday’s local elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina were competitive and efficiently prepared with fundamental freedoms respected, following extensive changes to election legislation imposed by the High Representative to increase the integrity of the election process, despite insufficient efforts to promote public engagement, international observers said in a statement today.
ODIHR opens election observation mission in the United States
Publishing date: 1 October 2024
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Elections
WASHINGTON D.C., 1 October 2024- The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened an election observation mission for the 5 November general elections in the United States, following an invitation from the national authorities.
New technologies used in elections must be in line with democratic standards, international experts say
Publishing date: 1 October 2024
Content type: News
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Cyber/ICT Security, Elections
Information and communication technologies (ICT) are becoming ever more important to the election process, which brings both challenges and opportunities, experts from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said in presenting a new edition of the Handbook for Observation of ICT in Elections at an event during the 2024 Warsaw Human Dimension Conference.
ODIHR opens election observation mission in Uzbekistan
Publishing date: 25 September 2024
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Elections
TASHKENT, 25 September 2024- The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened an election observation mission for the 27 October parliamentary elections in Uzbekistan, following an official invitation from the national authorities.
North Macedonia elections 2024: ODIHR election observation mission final report
Publishing date: 23 September 2024
Content type: News
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Elections
North Macedonia’s 2024 presidential and early parliamentary elections were competitive, and voters had the opportunity to make informed choices. However, while the legal framework provides the basis for democratic elections, it lacks sufficient regulation for a presidential contest, and recent changes introduced without sufficient transparency and public consultation. Election day was assessed positively overall, with voting procedures largely respected, although some election boards did not fully follow procedures during the count. Rules creating a direct link between public financing of campaigns and media opportunities for candidates disproportionately favoured the major political parties.