27/02/2009 | Election observation
The PACE delegation, visiting "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" on a pre-electoral mission, noted that the authorities of the country have taken measures to implement the recommendations of the ad hoc Committee on the observation of the Parliamentary elections of 1 and 15 June 2008 (re-run). Moreover, the pre-electoral delegation took note of the adoption of amendments to the Electoral code which are currently being analysed by the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission. However, it deeply regrets that, since June 2008, not all those responsible for the acts of violence and electoral fraud have yet been identified and brought to justice.
25/02/2009 | Election observation
PACE pre-election delegation took note of the preparations underway for the upcoming early parliamentary elections in Montenegro, to be held on 29 March 2009. The delegation concluded that, with the necessary political will, Montenegro was capable of holding elections in line with European standards, despite the discrepancies that remain between the Constitution and the electoral legislation. It noted that the election administration demonstrates efficiency and represents a plurality of political views. The delegation was pleased with the active involvement of civil society and the print media in the process and praised the quality of their work.
23/02/2009 | Election observation
A PACE delegation comprising four members and led by Marietta de Pourbaix-Lundin (Sweden, EPP/CD), will go on a pre-electoral mission to Skopje on 26 and 27 February, ahead of the presidential election to take place in "the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" on 22 March 2009. The delegation will meet the candidates standing for election, the President of the Republic, Branko Crvenkovski, the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, Svetlana Jakimovska, the Minister of the Interior, Gordana Jankuloska, the Chairman of the State electoral committee, Aleksandar Novakovski, the delegation of "the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" to PACE, as well as ambassadors and representatives of civil society and the media.
23/02/2009 | Election observation
A PACE delegation, comprising four members and led by Andreas Gross (Switzerland, SOC), will go on a pre-electoral mission to Podgorica on 24 and 25 February, ahead of the parliamentary elections to take place in Montenegro on 29 March 2008. The delegation will meet the Speaker of Parliament Ranko Krivokapic, representatives of the political parties running in these elections, the delegation of Montenegro to the PACE, the Chairman of the Central electoral committee Branislav Radulovic, as well as ambassadors and representatives of civil society and the media.
16/10/2008 | Election observation
Yesterday's presidential election in Azerbaijan marked considerable progress, but did not meet all of the country's international commitments, observers from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), PACE and the European Parliament (EP) concluded in a joint statement published today. "While the voting day can be generally viewed positively and described as marking considerable progress, election observation is done against a broader background of human rights, democracy and the rule of law. In this connection, the issue of freedom of the media in Azerbaijan remains a source of further concern," said Andres Herkel, Head of the PACE delegation.
10/10/2008 | Election observation
A 26-member delegation from PACE led by Andres Herkel (Estonia, EPP/CD), is now in Azerbaijan to observe the presidential election of 15 October 2008, alongside observers from the European Parliament and the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).
18/09/2008 | Election observation
A five-member, cross-party pre-election delegation from the PACE, visiting Azerbaijan ahead of October’s Presidential election, has noted improvements that should create conditions for a good election. Those improvements took account of a number of recommendations made by the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission, the delegation said. However, not of all of the recommendations were fully addressed. It nevertheless acknowledged that some key issues, such as equitable representation in electoral commissions or fairness in conducting the campaign, are more a matter of electoral practice than the letter of the law.
15/09/2008 | Election observation
A five-member PACE delegation consisting of one representative for each of the five political groups and headed by Andres Herkel (Estonia, EPP/CD) will be visiting Azerbaijan from 15 to 18 September 2008 in the run-up to the presidential election scheduled for 15 October.
16/07/2008 | Election observation
A two-member PACE post-electoral delegation to "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" has said it is encouraged by assurances that conclusions and recommendations made by the Assembly will "serve as guidelines" for the new Parliament in Skopje in its endeavours to overcome the problems that tarnished the 1 June parliamentary elections. But Mevlüt Çavušoglu (Turkey, EDG) and Andreas Gross (Switzerland, SOC), speaking at the end of a two-day visit, also deplored the boycott of Parliament by a major Albanian party, which they said put that party's electorate at a disadvantage.
11/07/2008 | Election observation
Two PACE members are to undertake a post-electoral mission to “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” on 14-16 July 2008 to assess developments in the country following the recent problematic parliamentary elections. Mevlüt Çavusoglu (Turkey, EDG), who headed the PACE delegation observing the 1 June elections and also observed the re-runs on 15 June, will be accompanied by Andreas Gross (Switzerland, SOC).
16/06/2008 | Election observation
"Yesterday's re-run elections gave voters in areas affected by serious irregularities on 1 June the opportunity to express their will in a secure and generally calmer environment, which represents considerable improvement over the 1 June election. Despite the efforts made by state institutions to ensure successful re-runs, cases of tensions and intimidation remained evident in the run up to and on 15 June", the International Election Observation Mission said today.
02/06/2008 | Election observation
Key international standards were not met in yesterday’s elections, as organised attempts to violently disrupt the electoral process in parts of the ethnic Albanian areas made it impossible for voters in many places to freely express their will, said the international election observation mission for the parliamentary elections in “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” in a statement released today.