13/04/2007 | Election observation
The forthcoming parliamentary elections in Armenia on May 12 will be a crucial touchstone for the degree of maturity of democracy in Armenia, concluded the four-member (*) pre-election delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) at the end of a visit to Yerevan from 10 to 13 April 2007. The delegation was heartened by the assurances of the Armenian authorities, and all political stakeholders it met, that it is their intention to hold elections that fully meet Council of Europe standards for democratic elections. In this respect the delegation stresses that it is the responsibility of all parties and stakeholders to adhere to the rules that a genuinely democratic process demands.
12/02/2007 | Election observation
This conference organised by PACE will take place in Strasbourg on 15 and 16 February 2007 and will bring together parliamentarians and other key actors in election observation seeks to strengthen the parliamentary pillar of election observation and facilitate the application of common standards. PACE President René van der Linden will deliver an opening speech on 15 February at 10h00, followed by statements by João Soares, Vice-President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Elmar Brok, Co-Chairperson of the European Parliament Election Coordination Group, Danièle Smadja, Director of the European Commission Multilateral Relations and Human Rights Department, and Halvdan Skard, President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe.
22/01/2007 | Election observation
The 21 January parliamentary elections in Serbia provided a genuine opportunity for the citizens of Serbia to choose from a range of political platforms and were in line with OSCE commitments and Council of Europe’s standards for democratic elections. Tadeusz Iwinski, Head of the PACE delegation, said: “The way the elections were held proves that the country has made significant progress towards ensuring a free expression of the will of the electorate, whose active participation in the vote shows its intense involvement in determining the vector of their country’s development. All this is extremely important in the light of Serbia’s upcoming chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe that starts in May 2007.”
16/01/2007 | Election observation
A 19-member team of observers from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), headed by Tadeusz Iwinski (Poland, SOC), will observe the 21 January parliamentary elections in Serbia alongside observers from OSCE/ODIHR and the OSCE and NATO Parliamentary Assemblies. Members of the delegation will meet with representatives of political parties, as well as with NGOs and the media, before deploying around the country to observe the conduct of the vote, including in Kosovo.
21/12/2006 | Election observation
The 21 January 2007 parliamentary elections in Serbia will be an important test of Serbia’s commitment to further democratisation and continued European integration, concluded a PACE pre-election delegation. The delegation noted the highly competitive nature of the forthcoming vote, with ten election lists registered so far (several more are expected), offering a solid choice for the electorate. It took note of an amended electoral legislation allowing diaspora voting and of new administrative measures facilitating the representation of ethnic minorities in the future Parliament. It welcomed new regulations ensuring a better gender balance in politics.
30/10/2006 | Election observation
Belgrade, 30.10.2006 – The Constitutional Referendum held in the Republic of Serbia on 28 and 29 October 2006 was, in general, conducted with due respect for Serbia’s democratic commitments to the Council of Europe, concluded a delegation of observers from the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE).
19/10/2006 | Election observation
A 19-member PACE delegation, headed by Alexander Fomenko (Russia, UEL), will observe the referendum on a new constitution taking place in Serbia on 28 and 29 October 2006. The delegation, which has been invited to carry out the observation by the Secretary of the Republican Electoral Commission, will assess – within the framework of the Assembly’s monitoring of Serbia – whether the conduct of the referendum is in line with Council of Europe standards.
02/10/2006 | Election observation
Yesterday’s general elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina were generally administered in line with international standards and represented further progress in the consolidation of democracy and the rule of law. Lord Russell-Johnston, Head of PACE delegation, said: “The sun shone on a tranquil and well organized election, in which all citizens and peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina showed their firm commitment to a democratic society. I was greatly encouraged and am now confident that before the next election a constitution will be agreed which will finally be fully in line with Council of Europe standards and commitments”.
27/09/2006 | Election observation
A twenty-member PACE delegation, headed by Lord Russell-Johnston (United Kingdom, ALDE), will observe the general elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina on Sunday 1 October 2006. The delegation, which will be in the country from 29 September to 2 October, will assess whether the elections meet international – and in particular Council of Europe – standards for democratic elections. Members are due to meet electoral officials and representatives of the main political parties, as well as journalists and NGOs, before observing polling on the day of the vote.
11/09/2006 | Election observation
The parliamentary elections in Montenegro on 10 September were held largely in line with OSCE commitments and Council of Europe standards for democratic elections. However a number of reappearing challenges remain to be addressed, concluded the International Election Observation Mission in a statement in Podgorica today. Some 200 observers from 41 countries monitored the vote and the count.
06/09/2006 | Election observation
A nine-member PACE delegation, headed by Jean-Charles Gardetto (Monaco, EPP/CD), will observe the parliamentary elections in the Republic of Montenegro on Sunday 10 September 2006. The delegation, which will be in the country from 7 to 12 September, will assess whether the elections in Montenegro meet international – and in particular Council of Europe – standards for democratic elections.
04/07/2006 | Election observation
The Federal Elections held in Mexico 2 July 2006 were about the best organized and conducted elections the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) ever observed, concluded a three-member strong PACE observer delegation to these elections. The counting process is not over yet, and the tight race did not allow for early results. The delegation calls on all political players to exercise political responsibility ahead of the official announcement of results and to abstain from any actions that could lead to a de-stabilisation of the situation. Whoever the winner will be will have to work hard to forge political coalitions and build consensus in a deeply divided Mexico.