COPENHAGEN, 6 October 2023 – The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly is deploying an election observation mission to Poland for the parliamentary elections taking place on 15 October 2023. OSCE PA President Pia Kauma (MP, Finland) has been appointed by the OSCE Chairman-in-Office as Special Co-ordinator and Pere Joan Pons (MP, Spain) will serve as Head of the OSCE PA delegation. The 2023 mission marks the first time the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly has observed the vote in Poland.
Special Co-ordinator Pia Kauma and Head of OSCE PA Delegation Pere Joan PonsThe OSCE PA observers will work closely with observers from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) and the mission deployed by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).
“The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly is embarking on its first-ever election observation mission in Poland, emphasizing our commitment to supporting democratic processes in all OSCE countries. Poland's recent changes to its electoral legal framework, combined with the backdrop of a highly polarized political environment, make these elections particularly significant,” said Pia Kauma. “We are looking forward to working closely with our long-standing partners and we hope to observe a competitive election next week, in line with international standards.”
“The large scale of our delegation, with over 100 observers in total, is a clear signal of the great interest of the international community in Poland's upcoming elections,” said Pons, who serves as Vice-President of the OSCE PA and Head of the Spanish Delegation. “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all my fellow observers for their unwavering dedication and their swift response to Poland’s invitation. I am confident that our diverse team will collaborate effectively to ensure an unbiased and accurate assessment of the conduct of these elections.”
During the two days leading up to the elections, election administrators, experts, political party representatives, media and civil society representatives will provide briefings to observers. Incorporating input of PACE and ODIHR observers, the preliminary findings and conclusions for the elections will be presented at a press conference in Warsaw on 16 October.
The elections will be assessed against democratic commitments outlined in the OSCE's 1990 Copenhagen Document, which encompass free voting procedures, a fair and free campaign atmosphere, access to media, and honest and accurate reporting of results.
Today, Kauma and Pons held an online introductory meeting with ODIHR Head of Mission, Douglas Wake, and Head of PACE Delegation, Mireille Clapot, to discuss the ODIHR interim report and co-ordination efforts.
