News and press releases

TBILISI, 31 October 2021 – The second round of Georgia’s local elections was generally competitive and organized professionally, but increasing polarization and negative rhetoric, as well as allegations of voter intimidation and the continuing advantage of incumbency, demonstrate the need for further reforms, international observers said in a statement today.

The 2021 early parliamentary elections in Armenia were competitive and generally well-managed within a short timeframe. They were, however, characterized by intense polarization and marred by increasingly inflammatory rhetoric among key contestants. While the legal framework is generally

Following this year’s elections in Bulgaria, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) has published reports on the 4 April parliamentary elections  and 11 July early parliamentary elections. In the April parliamentary elections fundamental freedoms were respected. The

TASHKENT, 25 October 2021 – Despite recent welcome reforms, the lack of genuine pluralism and meaningful engagement between candidates or with citizens meant that Uzbekistan’s presidential election was not truly competitive, while significant procedural irregularities were noted on election day, international observers said in a statement today.

BISHKEK, 19 October 2021 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened an election observation mission (EOM) for the 28 November parliamentary elections in Kyrgyzstan, following an invitation from the national authorities.

SKOPJE, 18 October 2021 – Candidates could campaign freely and fundamental freedoms were widely respected in North Macedonia’s local elections, but numerous gaps in the law and legislative changes close to election day undermined legal stability and the largest parliamentary parties enjoy systemic advantages in the distribution of public resources for campaigning, international observers from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said in a statement today...

WARSAW/STOCKHOLM, 14 October 2021 – Thirty years ago, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) was established. Its mandate is to assist the countries of the OSCE region in strengthening democratic institutions and the rule of law, and in respecting human rights. Over the next two days, over 500 participants will gather in person and online to discuss the ODIHR’s achievements and its role in finding lasting solutions to the challenges faced across the OSCE region.