COPENHAGEN, 23 October 2012 — Walburga Habsburg Douglas (Sweden), Special Co-ordinator to lead the short-term OSCE observer mission has arrived in Kyiv to observe the home stretch of the parliamentary election campaign being held on 28 October.

With more than 700 observers – including 110 from parliaments in 25 countries – the mission to Ukraine figures to be the largest ever OSCE election observation mission.

"I am excited to lead the short term OSCE observer mission to Ukraine for Sunday's parliamentary elections," said Habsburg Douglas. "These elections are crucial for the future of Ukraine, and the large number of OSCE observers on the ground testifies to the importance that OSCE participating States and parliaments attach to this process."

Habsburg Douglas has broad experience observing elections and led the election observation mission in Kyrgyzstan in 2011.

The election observation mission will assess the parliamentary elections for their conformity with the OSCE commitments as stated in the 1990 Copenhagen Document.