Michael Georg Link and Farah KarimiCOPENHAGEN, 2 May 2023 – The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly is deploying an election observation mission to Türkiye for the general elections taking place 14 May 2023. Michael Georg Link (MP, Germany) has been appointed by the OSCE Chairman-in-Office as Special Co-ordinator and Farah Karimi (MP, Netherlands) will serve as Head of the OSCE PA delegation.
The OSCE PA observers will work closely with observers from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the mission deployed by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). Headed by Ambassador Jan Petersen, ODIHR’s mission consists of 14 experts, 28 long-term observers, and an expected 350 short-term observers.
The large delegation of observers underlines the international community’s strong interest in Türkiye’s democratic development and solidarity with the Turkish people following the recent devastating earthquake in the country, Link and Karimi said.
“Türkiye’s important place on the international scene ensures that these elections will be closely watched,” said Link, who serves as Vice-President of the OSCE PA and Deputy Head of the German Delegation. “As international observers, however, we will set aside any political opinions we may have and focus exclusively on the process of the elections, which we will assess to the best of our capacity and knowledge.”
“I look forward to leading the large delegation of my colleagues from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly as we return for our sixth election observation mission in Türkiye,” said Farah Karimi, who serves as Vice-Chair of the OSCE PA’s human rights committee and Head of the Dutch Delegation. “The strong interest in observing these elections from politicians representing a wide range of political views from across the OSCE area is a positive sign. I am confident that we will work well together to reach an unbiased and accurate assessment of the conduct of these elections.”
Observers will be briefed by election administrators, experts, political party representatives, and civil society representatives for two days prior to election day. Incorporating input of the ODIHR short- and long-term observers, the preliminary findings and conclusions for the elections will be presented at a press conference in Ankara on 15 May.
The elections will be assessed against democratic commitments contained in the OSCE’s 1990 Copenhagen Document. Key provisions include free voting procedures, a fair and free campaign atmosphere, access to media, and honest and accurate reporting of results.
For previous OSCE PA assessments of elections in Türkiye, please click here.
Watch a video on OSCE PA election observation here.
