06/04/2009 | Election observation
The second round of the presidential and municipal elections in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia on Sunday met most OSCE and Council of Europe commitments and standards for democratic elections, although some of the issues identified in the first round, including credible reports of intimidation, were of increased concern, international election observers said in a statement released today.“The voting process was significantly improved from the parliamentary elections in 2008,” said Jørgen Poulsen, Member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.
06/04/2009 | Election observation
Yesterday’s parliamentary elections in Moldova met many international standards and commitments, but further improvements are required to ensure an electoral process free from undue administrative interference and to increase public confidence, the IEOM said in a statement issued today. “The people of Moldova are to be congratulated on a relaxed, mainly well-run and democratic polling day. Now the new parliament needs to make the necessary improvements to Moldova’s legal framework and electoral code,” said David Wilshire, head of PACE delegation.
31/03/2009 | Election observation
A 14-member PACE delegation, led by David Wilshire (United Kingdom, EDG) will be visiting Moldova from 3 to 6 April to observe the parliamentary election, 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 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 5 April in a sample of polling stations across the country.
30/03/2009 | Election observation
Yesterday’s parliamentary elections in Montenegro met almost all international commitments and standards, but the process again underscored the need for further democratic development, the international election observation mission concluded in a statement issued today. “The organization of the elections was remarkably efficient. But to gain legitimacy and build confidence among the entire electorate, especially among voters supporting those who lost the elections, the winners have to be more inclusive, pluralistic and fair”, said Andreas Gross, Head of the PACE delegation.
30/03/2009 | Election observation
The International Election Observation Mission (IEOM), which has been deployed to observe the parliamentary elections in Montenegro, will present its preliminary post-election statement at a news conference today, in Podgorica. The statement will be delivered by Roberto Battelli, Head of the OSCE PA delegation and Special Co-ordinator of the OSCE short-term observers, followed by Andreas Gross, Head of the PACE delegation, and Artis Pabriks, Head of the OSCE/ODIHR long-term election observation mission. The IEOM comprises a total of close to 190 observers from over 40 countries, including 30 long-term and some 120 short-term observers deployed by the OSCE/ODIHR, as well as 22 parliamentarians and staff from the OSCE PA and 14 from the PACE.
26/03/2009 | Election observation
A PACE delegation, comprising thirteen members and headed by Andreas Gross (Switzerland, SOC), will observe the 29 March parliamentary elections in Montenegro alongside observers from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).The delegation, to be present in the country from 27 March, is expected to meet the Head of the Electoral Commission, Branislav Radulovic, representatives of the political parties running in these elections, as well as representatives of civil society, the media and the international community, before it observes the ballot and the counting of votes in a sample of polling stations across the country.
23/03/2009 | Election observation
The first round of yesterday’s presidential and municipal elections in “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” met most international standards, although some challenges remain to be addressed, an international election observation mission said in a statement released today. “The authorities and main political actors learnt positive lessons from the June 2008 parliamentary elections. Security during this election campaign and on voting day was significantly improved. It is clear that this presidential election made progress in restoring the confidence of citizens through a democratic process,” said Marietta de Pourbaix-Lundin, Head of the PACE delegation.
18/03/2009 | Election observation
A 13-member PACE delegation, led by Marietta de Pourbaix-Lundin (Sweden, EPP/CD) will be visiting “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” from 20 to 23 March 2009 to observe the presidential election alongside observers from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR). The delegation members will meet the seven candidates standing in the election, the Chairman of the Central Election Commission and representatives of the international community, NGOs and the media. They will then travel to various parts of the country to observe the conduct of the poll on 22 March.
06/03/2009 | Election observation
A pre-electoral delegation from PACE, visiting Chisinau on the eve of Moldova's parliamentary elections of 5 April 2009, has noted considerable pluralism in the political landscape of the country. However, the delegation stresses that, despite the repeated recommendations of the Assembly and other bodies of the Council of Europe, a number of concerns continue to subsist during this electoral campaign.
03/03/2009 | Election observation
A PACE delegation, comprising Andres Herkel (Estonia, EPP/CD) – Head of delegation ad interim – and Ioannis Banias (Greece, UEL), will be undertaking a pre-electoral observation mission in Chisinau on 5 and 6 March, prior to the parliamentary elections to be held in Moldova on 5 April 2009. The delegation is due to meet the President of the Republic, the Speaker of Parliament, the Minister of Justice, the leaders of the political parties taking part in the elections and the leaders of the main opposition parties not represented in parliament.
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.