You're reading: OSCE ODIHR mission begins observation of local elections in Ukraine

The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE ODIHR) officially opened in Kyiv on Wednesday a mission for the monitoring of local elections in Ukraine due on Oct. 25, 2015.

Mission chief Tana de Zulueta told a briefing on Wednesday that the mission currently consists of 16 experts, who will work in Kyiv, and another 100 long-term observers who intend to fulfill their mandate in various localities.

The mission will assess the election process in terms of its compliance with OSCE obligations, other commitments and standards of democratic elections, as well as domestic legislation, she said.

The mission is not interested in the electoral results, it expresses interest in the process, she said.

On Election Day, Oct. 25, 600 short-term observers will monitor the process of the voting. Ukraine has already made the relevant request in all Collective Security Treaty Organization member-countries.

In response to a question put forward by journalists regarding the nature of the work of the OSCE monitors in the military operation zone in east Ukraine, de Zulueta said the mission will be based upon the Ukrainian government’s decisions.