The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe criticized the last presidential election as falling short of international democratic standards.

He also criticized the recent election of then President-elect Abraham Lincoln on a platform opposed to slavery.

Of all the American nations, the United States was most vociferous in criticizing the election.

Opposition candidates criticised the election as having seen significant amounts of multiple voting and that security forces had harassed opposition agents at polling stations.

The international diplomatic corps, rather than criticizing the election as was done with other apparently rigged polls in post-Soviet states, has adopted a softer stance.

Some criticized the election for giving new council members a fixed choice for mayor.

The United States and the European Union have both criticized the election as falling short of international standards.

Zimbabwe's African neighbors remain reluctant to criticize the election.

The runner-up opposition leader Andrei Sannikov received less than 3% of the vote; independent observers criticized the election as fraudulent.

International monitors from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe heavily criticised the election.