News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
Albania’s elections saw inclusive campaigning and improved administration, but misuse of state resources was of concern, international observers say
Publishing date: 26 April 2021
TIRANA, 26 April 2021 – The Albanian parliamentary elections were characterized by a lively and inclusive campaign, thanks to a legal framework that helped ensure respect of fundamental freedoms. At the same time the campaign saw authorities taking advantage of public office and allegations of pervasive vote buying, international observers said in a statement today...
OSCE Presence concludes national voter education campaign ahead of parliamentary elections in Albania
Publishing date: 23 April 2021
On 22 April 2021, the OSCE Presence in Albania concluded a three-month national voter education campaign ahead of the 25 April parliamentary elections. The campaign — conducted in close co-operation with the Central Election Commission — aimed at informing citizens about Electoral Code amendments, and encouraged their participation in the elections...
OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina calls on citizens of Travnik and Foča (FBiH) to use the opportunity and vote
Publishing date: 9 April 2021
On 11 April 2021, the citizens of Travnik and Foča in the Federation of BiH municipality will vote again to elect their mayors, after the deaths of formerly elected mayors Mirsad Peco and Esed Radeljaš.
Bulgaria’s competitive parliamentary elections well run, but impacted by media shortcomings and significant ruling-party advantage, international observers say
Publishing date: 5 April 2021
SOFIA, 5 April 2021 –Bulgaria’s parliamentary elections were competitive and efficiently run despite the difficult circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and fundamental freedoms were respected. However, the massive use of state resources gave the ruling party a significant advantage, and a lack of editorial diversity was of concern, international observers said in a statement today...
OSCE parliamentarians to observe 4 April elections in Bulgaria
Publishing date: 30 March 2021
COPENHAGEN, 30 March 2021 – Some 45 parliamentarians and staff from 12 OSCE countries will observe the parliamentary elections in Bulgaria on 4 April. Deploying in the capital, Sofia, and other regions, the OSCE PA observers will work closely with colleagues from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe...
OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek supports training courses on effective responses to violations in electoral processes
Publishing date: 29 March 2021
A series of training courses for Kyrgyzstan's law enforcement officials on the role of law enforcement agencies in responding to potential violations of electoral legislation during the April 11, 2021, elections for local councils concluded across Kyrgyzstan on 24 March 2021...
Kazakhstan’s 2021 parliamentary elections: OSCE/ ODIHR observation mission final report
Publishing date: 25 March 2021
The 2021 parliamentary elections in Kazakhstan were efficiently prepared amid the challenges posed by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic but lacked genuine competition. Despite partially addressing a few previous ODIHR recommendations by way of recent legal revisions, the general legal framework