ODIHR election observation activities temporarily limited as health risks increase

WARSAW, 17 March 2020 – Election observation activities of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) are being temporarily limited in some places, as countries around the OSCE region restrict cross-border travel in response to increased health risks.

The present suspensions are confined to the election observation missions planned for the early parliamentary elections due to take place in North Macedonia on 12 April as well as the 26 April parliamentary elections in Serbia. Other election observation activities planned in the coming period are still under consideration, pending further decisions by national authorities and the public health dangers presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

ODIHR regrets the necessity of restricting its election observation activities at the present time, but as always the safety of the Office’s staff is of primary importance. ODIHR remains in close contact with the national authorities of countries in which elections are scheduled this year as their election planning evolves.