National parliaments should step up the fight against fake election observers
European Parliament-organised Conference on Countering Fake Election Observation recommends EU member state parliaments commit to a binding code of conduct for election observation. The Conference on Countering Fake Election Observation, was organised by the European Parliament’s Democracy Support and Election Coordination Group (DEG) and the European Platform for Democratic Elections (EPDE) in the European Parliament in Brussels on 4 […]
Conference: Countering fake election observation, disinformation, and hybrid threats
MEPs and election experts will discuss ways to counter politically biased (“fake”) election observation and related disinformation campaigns at a conference on 4 and 5 June. The conference, co-hosted by Parliament’s Democracy Support and Election Coordination Group (DEG) and the European Platform for Democratic Elections (EPDE), will address how fake observers, including elected officials and […]
EPDE hosted post-election roundtable on the presidential elections in Romania
Following the second round of presidential elections in Romania on 18 May, the European Platform for Democratic Elections (EPDE), in cooperation with Expert Forum (EFOR) and the Vot Corect coalition of citizen election observers, hosted a high-level roundtable in Bucharest to discuss the findings and conclusions of the election observation in Romania. The event brought […]
Moldova: Electoral Improvements and Legislative Stability Ahead of Moldova’s 2025 Parliamentary Elections
The European Platform for Democratic Elections (EPDE), in co-organization with the Promo-LEX Association, hosted the first webinar of a series ahead of the 2025 parliamentary elections in Moldova. Since Parliament adopted a new Electoral Code in December 2022, lawmakers have revisited it in nearly every session. Recent amendments include increased sanctions for electoral corruption, penalties […]
Challenges to Election Observation in Europe: Adam Busuleanu in conversation with Cosmin Bârzan, Civic Resource Centre
EPDE Senior Program Officer Adam Busuleanu met with Cosmin Bârzan, president of the Civic Resource Centre, to discuss EPDE’s mission and the growing challenges facing election observation in Europe. Their conversation explored the increasing impact of online voting and social media manipulation on electoral integrity. Adam emphasized the shrinking space for civil society in places […]
GNDEM Condemns Conviction of Nonpartisan Election Observer Leader in Russia
The Global Network for Domestic Election Monitors (GNDEM) strongly condemns the sentencing of Grigory Melkonyants, the co-chair of nonpartisan election observation organization and GNDEM member Golos, to five years in prison. Golos is a leading independent election monitoring organization in Russia, providing citizens with fact-based information and analysis on democratic processes in the country. This ruling […]
Statement | Criminalizing Election Monitors: Russian Court Sentences Golos Co-Chair to 5 Years in Prison
“Some may find it boring, but the kind of society we all dream of is impossible without fair laws and a transparent process that works.“ – Grigory Melkonyants in his closing statement of his criminal case. EPDE condemns today’s verdict handed down by Judge Evgeniya Nikolaeva, sentencing Grigory Melkonyants, co-chair of the Russian election observation group […]
Webinar: Romanian Presidential Elections 2.0: What to know before the second round | 15 May 2025 | 3 PM CET
The European Platform for Democratic Elections (EPDE) and Expert Forum (EFOR) are pleased to invite you to a briefing on Romania’s second round of the 2025 presidential elections, set to take place on 18 May. This event follows the first round held on 4 May, which saw 11 candidates competing. While the ruling coalition’s candidate failed […]
OSCE/ODIHR publishes preliminary statement on Romania’s Presidential Election
The OSCE/ODIHR preliminary statement on Romania’s 2025 repeat presidential election acknowledges the efficient technical administration of the vote and respect for fundamental freedoms. However, OSCE/ODIHR raises concerns about transparency, inclusiveness, and the integrity of online campaigning, including: The international election observation to the first round of the presidential election in Romania totalled 46 observers from […]
Webinar: Polish election insights. Campaign dynamics and integrity challenges | 7 MAY 2025 | 3 PM CET
The European Platform for Democratic Elections (EPDE) and the Political Accountability Foundation (PAF) are pleased to invite you to a briefing on Poland’s upcoming 2025 presidential elections, set to take place on May 18 with a possible runoff on June 1. As the campaign enters its final stretch, Poland faces a highly polarized political landscape shaped by generational […]