ANKARA, 8 August 2014 – Senior OSCE parliamentarians have arrived in Ankara to lead the OSCE's short-term observation mission for Turkey's presidential election this weekend.

Vilija Aleknaite Abramkiene (MP, Lithuania), the Special Co-ordinator of the OSCE's short-term observation mission, and Asa Lindestam (MP, Sweden), the Head of the OSCE PA Delegation of observers, are joining fellow parliamentarians for several days of briefings ahead of the 10 August vote.

"The conduct of the presidential election will be a key measure of Turkey's democratic progress. We hope to observe a vote that is free, fair and in line with OSCE commitments," Aleknaite Abramkiene said.

Aleknaite Abramkiene, a Vice-President of the OSCE PA, was designated by OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Didier Burkhalter to lead OSCE short-term observers from 15 participating States. She was also designated to deliver the preliminary post-election statement on behalf of the OSCE.

Aleknaite Abramkiene will be assisted in overseeing the observation mission by Lindestam, who said upon arrival in the Turkish capital: "I look forward to joining my fellow parliamentarians in spreading out across the country to observe the openings of polling stations, the counting of ballots at closing time and everything in between. This will be an important new chapter in the OSCE's involvement in Turkey."

OSCE parliamentary observers are being briefed ahead of election day by presidential candidate representatives; members of the Supreme Board of Elections; representatives of the Radio and Television Supreme Council; representatives of the media and civil society; and analysts and long-term observers from the OSCE/ODIHR limited election observation mission.

OSCE parliamentarians will also work closely with observers from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).

The post-election press conference by international observers will be streamed live on Monday, 11 August, on oscepa.org.