Over 600 OSCE observers to monitor local elections in Ukraine

"The mission is led by Ingibjörg Sólrún Gisladóttir and consists of a core team of 15 experts based in Kyiv and 66 long-term observers, who will be deployed throughout the country from 29 September. ODIHR also plans to request OSCE participating States to send 600 short-term observers, who would arrive several days before election day," the statement reads.

It notes that the mission will assess whether the elections are held in line with OSCE commitments and other international obligations and standards for democratic elections, as well as with national legislation. Observers will closely monitor key aspects of the elections such as voter registration, campaign activities and their financing, the work of the election administration and relevant government bodies, election-related legislation and its implementation, and the resolution of election-related disputes. The mission will also monitor media coverage of the campaign.

Meetings with representatives of state authorities, political parties, civil society, the media and the international community are also planned. The ODIHR mission will co-operate closely with the health authorities of Ukraine and follow the protocols they have established.

An interim report will be published to update the public and media during the course of the observation. ODIHR will present its preliminary findings and conclusions at a press conference the day after the election, and will publish its final report on the observation including potential recommendations approximately two months after the end of the election process.

The ODIHR election observation mission, the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission and the Office of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine operate separately and independently under their respective mandates.

op