News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
ODIHR opens observation mission for parliamentary elections in Moldova
Publishing date: 16 January 2019
CHISINAU, 16 January 2019 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today formally opened an election observation mission (EOM) for the parliamentary elections scheduled for 24 February in Moldova. The mission’s deployment follows an invitation from the authorities...
OSCE/ODIHR publishes database of election recommendations for Western Balkans
Publishing date: 21 December 2018
The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) has published an online database of election-related recommendations for the Western Balkans.
Strengthening OSCE-EU co-operation discussed at first annual high-level meeting held in Brussels
Publishing date: 13 December 2018
Improving institutional interaction and furthering co-operation between the OSCE and the EU in areas of common interest across all three OSCE security dimensions – politico-military, economic and environmental and human – was the focus of the first-ever EU–OSCE annual high-level meeting, held on 12 December in Brussels.
Broad public trust in Armenian elections needs to be preserved through further electoral reforms, international observers say
Publishing date: 10 December 2018
YEREVAN, 10 December 2018 – The 9 December early parliamentary elections in Armenia were held with respect for fundamental freedoms and enjoyed broad public trust that needs to be preserved through further electoral reforms, the international observers concluded in a preliminary statement released today. Open political debate, including in the media, contributed to a vibrant campaign, although cases of inflammatory rhetoric online were of concern, the statement says.
On International Day of Persons with Disabilities, OSCE/ODIHR Director underlines importance of making voting processes accessible for all
Publishing date: 3 December 2018
WARSAW, 3 December 2018 On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), called on participating States to take measures to further ensure that electoral processes and information are accessible to persons with disabilities.
Candidates campaigned freely in competitive Georgia run-off, though one side enjoyed undue advantage and negative character of campaign undermined process, international observers say
Publishing date: 29 November 2018
TBILISI, 29 November 2018 – The second round of Georgia’s presidential election was competitive and candidates were able to campaign freely; however one side enjoyed an undue advantage and the negative character of the campaign on both sides undermined the process, the international observers concluded in a preliminary statement released today. While the election was well administered, the absence of regulations for key aspects of election run-offs led to a lack of legal certainty, the statement says...
OSCE Project Co-ordinator provides solutions to enhance protection of Ukraine’s State Voter Register from cyber threats
Publishing date: 28 November 2018
On 28 November 2018 Ukraine’s Central Election Commission (CEC) installed equipment and software provided by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine for ensuring comprehensive technical protection of the State Voter Register, as part of efforts aimed at enhancing security of election administration systems from digital threats. This is an important step in the implementation of the CEC’s plans to enhance the cybersecurity of election administration during the 2019 votes.