OSCE parliamentarians to observe Turkey's upcoming election

Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) parliamentarians will observe the upcoming parliamentary election in Turkey and provide leadership for the OSCE?s short-term observer mission, the organization said in a written statement on May 19.

OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Ivica Dacic has designated Vilija Aleknaite Abramikiene from Lithuania as special coordinator to lead the short-term observer mission for the 7 June vote. Ignacio Sanchez Amor from Spain will serve as head of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Delegation, which will include 50 MPs from 20 OSCE participating states.

?Ten months ago, during Turkey?s first direct presidential election, my fellow observers and I witnessed a vibrant political life but also noted some challenges that must be overcome,? said Abramikiene, who also served as OSCE special coordinator for the August 2014 observation mission. 

?I look forward to returning for this vote and hope to be able to report on progress that will allow Turkey to fully live up to the democratic aspirations of its people,? Abramikiene added.

Sanchez Amor said Turkey faces ?real challenges.? 

?There is no doubt that Turkey exists in a tough neighborhood. The real challenges the country faces make it all the more critical for Turkey to hold elections that adhere to democratic standards, and we hope that the people and authorities will rise to the occasion,? he added.

OSCE parliamentary observers will deploy to polling stations across Turkey, working closely with long-term observers from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) and in co-ordination with colleagues from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).

The mission will assess the...