Norwegian election observers to Ukraine

A group of Norwegian election observers travelled to Ukraine today to monitor the presidential election on 26 December. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has provided financial support for 16 Norwegian election observers. In addition to these short-term observers, one Norwegian long-term observer is already in place in Ukraine. The Norwegian observers are part of an election observation mission under the auspices of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). A member of the Storting is also taking part as an observer in the NATO Parliamentary Assembly delegation deployed to monitor the elections.

Norway attaches great importance to election observation as a means of ensuring a free and transparent electoral process in Ukraine, and is concerned that the outcome should reflect the will of the people. The international observation mission will play a very important role in this respect.