OSCE/ODIHR opens election observation mission for parliamentary elections in Ukraine | WPN World People News

The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) 12 September formally opened an election observation mission for the 28 October 2012 parliamentary elections in Ukraine. The mission’s deployment follows an invitation from the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry.

(L-r) Elma Šehalić, Media Analyst for the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission to the 28 October 2012 parliamentary elections in Ukraine; Stefan Krause, Deputy Head of Mission, and Dame Audrey Glover, Head of the Mission (OSCE)

The mission is led by Dame Audrey Glover and consists of 20 experts based in Kyiv and 90 long-term observers to be deployed across the country. In addition, ODIHR will request 600 short-term observers to monitor election day proceedings, counting and tabulation of election results.

The mission will assess the entire election process for compliance with principles for democratic electoral processes, including OSCE commitments and other international standards for democratic elections, as well as with national legislation. Observers will monitor campaign activities, media coverage, the legislative framework and its implementation, the work of the election administration and relevant government bodies, and the resolution of election disputes.

In the course of observation, the mission will meet with representatives from relevant authorities and political parties, as well as with candidates, and with representatives from civil society, the media and the international community.

On election day, observers will monitor the opening of polling stations, voting, the counting of ballots and the tabulation of results at all levels. For election day, the OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission will join efforts with the delegations of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and other parliamentary partners.

The day after the election, the mission will issue a statement of preliminary findings and conclusions. A final report on the observation of the entire electoral process will be issued approximately two months after the end of the electoral process.

The OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission and the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine operate separately under their specific mandates.

Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe