Press release, 12 June 2013
Speaker of the Seimas Vydas Gedvilas welcomed the participants of the discussion on the Seimas Elections of 14 October 2012 as it is seen by experts from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).
“We are pleased that elections to the Seimas, the European Parliament and local government have been conducted in a democratic way in Lithuania for 23 years already. We, the politicians, can feel that when we meet our electorate in towns and villages. I am familiar with the OSCE findings. Despite minor errors which are natural, elections are transparent and fair in our country. Our society is always provided with an opportunity to hear and see politicians on the radio or television. The Central Electoral Commission works well,” Speaker of the Seimas said.
Majority of the respondents questioned by the OSCE mission expressed their trust in democratic procedures in Lithuania. The elections campaign was conducted with respect for all fundamental freedoms and the contestants were able to campaign freely, allowing their voters to learn about their programmes.
According to the OSCE conclusions, the legal framework governing parliamentary elections provides a sound basis for the conduct of democratic elections. The ODIHR report also suggests that administration of elections enjoys public trust, it is perceived to be impartial and professional. The regulations on election campaign financing are detailed and closely monitored.
The OSCE experts gave recommendations on how equality of the vote in different single-member electoral districts should be ensured as well as how transparency of funding of political parties and campaigns could be raised.
The OSCE Elections Assessment Mission was deployed in Lithuania during the elections to the Seimas in October 2012. Experts met with representatives of the parties and together with the members of the Central Electoral Commission visited polling stations.
Tomas Beržinskas, Adviser to the Speaker of the Seimas, tel. +370 5 239 6019, mob. +370 698 42 786, e-mail: [email protected]
