News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
OSCE PA leaders criticize Belarus’s failure to extend timely invitation to observe election and to provide a level playing field for all stakeholders
Publishing date: 16 July 2020
COPENHAGEN, 16 July 2020 – The leaders of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions expressed concern today that Belarus had failed to extend a timely invitation to the OSCE to observe its upcoming presidential election. The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) announced yesterday that the lack of an invitation has prevented ODIHR from observing the election process...
ODIHR will not deploy election observation mission to Belarus due to lack of invitation
Publishing date: 15 July 2020
WARSAW, 15 July 2020 – The Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) has informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus that the lack of an invitation to observe the upcoming presidential election has precluded ODIHR from observing the ongoing election process.
Election observers to North Macedonia’s early parliamentary elections to hold press conference on Thursday
Publishing date: 14 July 2020
SKOPJE, 14 July 2020 – Observers from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) will hold a press conference to present their preliminary conclusions following the early parliamentary elections in North Macedonia.
Competitive and well-organized Polish presidential run-off marred by confrontation, media bias and misuse of resources, international observers say
Publishing date: 13 July 2020
WARSAW, 13 July 2020 – While both candidates in Poland’s presidential run-off were able to campaign freely, hostility as well as biased coverage by the public broadcaster tarnished the election, international observers from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said in a statement today.
OSCE Mission to Montenegro supports State Election Commission and Association of Blind discussion on polling station accessibility
Publishing date: 1 July 2020
Ensuring accessibility for all voters at polling stations is essential and the responsibility of election commissions. This was the conclusion of representatives of the Montenegrin State Election Commission at a workshop organized by the Association of the Blind of Montenegro on 30 June in Podgorica...
OSCE hands over equipment to Central Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Publishing date: 29 June 2020
SARAJEVO, 29 June 2020 – The OSCE Mission to BiH delivered today, in Sarajevo, laptops and photo cameras to the BiH Central Election Commission’s (CEC) Financial Audit Department...
Polish presidential election managed well despite legal uncertainties, but intolerance and public media bias tarnished campaign, international observers say
Publishing date: 29 June 2020
WARSAW, 29 June 2020 – Poland’s presidential election was administered professionally despite the lack of legal clarity as solutions were sought to hold the election during the COVID-19 pandemic. The campaign was characterised by intolerant rhetoric and a public broadcaster that failed in its duty to offer balanced and impartial coverage, international observers from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said in a statement today...