News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
Election administration as a key to ensuring the rights of voters and candidates the focus of new ODIHR handbook for election observers
Publishing date: 3 October 2023
As part of its ongoing efforts to develop and refine its election observation methodology, the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) launched a new handbook on observing election administration on 3 October 2023, during the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference. Election
Democracy and human rights must be at the heart of renewed dialogue, OSCE leaders say
Publishing date: 2 October 2023
WARSAW, 2 October 2023 – Building on strong partnerships and returning to genuine dialogue are key to overcoming challenges to human rights and democracy. This was the main message from OSCE leaders today at the opening of a major human rights conference to discuss the condition of human rights and freedoms across the 57 states of the region.
Vetting of candidates to Moldova’s Judicial Council objective and professional, but legislation and transparency could still be improved: ODIHR report
Publishing date: 30 September 2023
WARSAW, 30 September 2023 – Following 14 months of monitoring the evaluation of candidates to the body responsible for the appointment and discipline of judges in Moldova (pre-vetting), the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) found that the procedure is generally objective, fair and professional, and in line with international human rights and rule of law principles. However, the transparency and legal certainty of the evaluation process could be further improved, ODIHR said in a new report.
Albania’s 2023 local elections: ODIHR election observation mission final report
Publishing date: 29 September 2023
The May 2023 local elections in Albania were generally well-administered, competitive and held with the participation of the key political forces, but the process was characterized by continued polarization between the main political parties and deep division within the opposition. Contestants
Türkiye’s 2023 general elections: ODIHR election observation mission final report
Publishing date: 29 September 2023
Türkiye’s 2023 general elections offered voters a choice between genuine political alternatives and voter participation was high, but the incumbent president and the ruling parties enjoyed an unjustified advantage, including through biased media coverage. The continued restrictions on fundamental
ODIHR opens election observation mission in Moldova
Publishing date: 28 September 2023
CHIŞINĂU, 28 September 2023- The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened an observation mission for the 5 November local elections in Moldova, following an invitation from the national authorities.
Good practices for administration of elections in the Western Balkans the focus of conference in Sarajevo
Publishing date: 27 September 2023
Improving the practices of election management bodies (EMBs) in the Western Balkans region was the main topic of a conference held in Sarajevo on 26 and 27 September 2023. The event was organized as part of the ODIHR project “ Support to Electoral Reforms in the Western Balkans ”, in co-operation