18/01/2010 | Election observation
The first round of Ukraine’s presidential election was of high quality and showed significant progress over previous elections, meeting most OSCE and Council of Europe commitments, concluded the international election observation mission in a statement published today. The observers noted that the election demonstrated respect for civil and political rights, and offered voters a genuine choice between candidates representing diverse political views. Candidates were able to campaign freely, and the campaign period was generally calm and orderly.
08/01/2010 | Election observation
A 39-member delegation of PACE, led by Mátyás Eörsi (Hungary, ALDE), will be in Ukraine from 14 to 18 January to observe the presidential election, alongside observers from the OSCE and NATO Parliamentary Assemblies, the European Parliament and the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). The delegation will meet the leading candidates, election officials, civil society and media representatives before observing the ballot on 17 January in a sample of polling stations across the country.
26/11/2009 | Election observation
PACE pre-election delegation observed an overall free and competitive atmosphere in Ukraine in the run-up to the 17 January 2010 Presidential election. The situation with the freedom of the media improved significantly after the 2004 elections. The delegation notes the commitment and endeavors of journalists, although it recognises that the media works under heavy financial and business influences. In order to assist more efficiently the Ukrainian people to make a well-founded choice, politicians should have no role in setting the agenda for the media. Intimidation is, hopefully, a thing of the past.
20/11/2009 | Election observation
An eight-member, cross-party delegation from PACE, led by Mátyás Eörsi (Hungary, ALDE), will carry out a pre-electoral mission to Kyiv on 24-26 November, ahead of the presidential election in Ukraine on 17 January 2010, to assess the electoral framework and campaign so far. The delegation intends to meet candidates, including Volodymyr Lytvyn, Yuliya Tymoshenko, Viktor Yanukovich and Viktor Yushchenko. It will also meet the Chairman of the Constitutional Court, election officials and representatives of civil society and the media.
30/07/2009 | Election observation
Yesterday's parliamentary elections in Moldova met many international standards, but the process underscored the need for continued democratic reforms to restore public trust, the international election observation mission concluded in a preliminary statement issued today. "I welcome the active participation of voters in this election, which is a good signal for democracy in Moldova. However, voters must feel confident with the entire election process. The inaccuracy of the voters lists has once again exposed weaknesses and an urgent need for major improvement. The voters of Moldova have expressed their will; it is now time for the country's political forces to demonstrate their ability for constructive political dialogue and power-sharing," said Mevlüt Çavusoglu, head of the PACE delegation.
24/07/2009 | Election observation
A PACE delegation led by Mevlüt Çavusoglu (Turkey, EDG) will be visiting Moldova from 27 to 30 July 2009 to observe the anticipated parliamentary elections on Wednesday 29, alongside observers from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, the European Parliament and the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR). The delegation is to meet notably the President of the Central Electoral Commission and representatives of the political parties standing in the election, civil society and the media, before observing the ballot in a sample of polling stations across the country. Preliminary conclusions will be announced during a press conference on Thursday 30 July (place and time to be confirmed).
06/07/2009 | Election observation
Yesterday’s parliamentary elections in Bulgaria were generally in accordance with international standards, but further efforts are necessary to ensure the integrity of the election process and increase public confidence, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) concluded in a joint statement released today.
30/06/2009 | Election observation
A PACE delegation led by Tadeusz Iwínski (Poland, SOC), will be visiting Bulgaria from 3 to 6 July to observe the parliamentary elections. Talks are scheduled with the Speaker of the Parliament, the President of the Central Electoral Commission and with representatives of the political parties standing in the election. The delegation is also to meet with the Bulgarian delegation to PACE, and with representatives of the diplomatic community, civil society and the media, before observing the ballot on 5 July in a sample of polling stations across the country.
29/06/2009 | Election observation
In a statement issued today, the International Election Observation Mission concluded that Albania’s election process demonstrated improvements, but also noted that violations persist. “These elections demonstrated that the Albanian people has the full potential for building a democratic society like that of other European countries. Now there is a huge responsibility of the authorities and main political stakeholders to work hard in order to establish confidence among the citizens for a democratic electoral process,” said Corien Jonker, Head of PACE delegation.
22/06/2009 | Election observation
A PACE 19-member delegation, led by Corien Jonker (Netherlands, EPP/CD), will be visiting Albania from 26 to 29 June to observe the parliamentary elections, alongside observers from the OSCE and NATO Parliamentary Assemblies, and the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR). The delegation is to meet the President of the Central Electoral Commission and representatives of the political parties standing in the election, civil society and the media, before observing the ballot on 28 June in a sample of polling stations across the country.
05/06/2009 | Election observation
A PACE pre-electoral delegation visited Tirana on the eve of the parliamentary elections of 28 June 2009. The delegation stresses that the authorities have the responsibility to take all necessary measures to provide each voter with a new ID card in order to ensure that all voters will be able to fulfil their constitutional right on 28 June. The delegation also notes that the significantly improved Electoral Code, adopted in December 2008, could have a positive impact on the conduct of the democratic electoral process. However, the implementation of the Code in good faith also requires the commitment by the main political parties to respect the Code.
03/06/2009 | Election observation
A four-member PACE delegation, led by Corien Jonker (Netherlands, EPP/CD), will carry out a pre-electoral mission to Tirana on 4-5 June, ahead of the parliamentary elections to be held in Albania on 28 June 2009. The delegation is due to meet with the Prime Minister Sali Berisha, the Speaker of Parliament Jozefina Topalli, the Foreign Affairs Minister Lulezim Basha, the Interior Minister Bujar Nishani and the heads of the political parties taking part in the elections.