OSCE Centre supports dialogue between Kyrgyz elections authorities, civil society ahead of presidential election

BISHKEK, 3 June 2009 - A conference to help prepare for the 23 July presidential election, organized by the Kyrgyz Central Elections Commission (CEC) with civil society groups and supported by the OSCE Centre and the German Embassy in Kyrgyzstan, was held in Bishkek today.

The conference aimed to foster dialogue between the authorities and civil society on conducting the election, the rights of observers and handling legal violations. The one-day event brought together some 80 participants from the Supreme Court, the Presidential administration, the Prosecutor General's Office, the CEC and regional election commissions, civil society, political parties, media and the international community

"We are pleased with the interest of all parties participating in this dialogue. The points of discussion included ensuring a free and transparent election, equal opportunities for all candidates and OSCE standards on elections," said Damir Lisovsky, the Chairman of the Kyrgyz Central Elections Commission. "But the main outcome of the meeting was a memorandum of understanding, 'It's the time of MY choice!', which signed by representatives of the CEC and the Alliance of Civil Organizations."

"The OSCE Centre emphasizes the importance of domestic observation of elections with the involvement of local non-governmental organizations. Their active participation lends authority to the electoral process and it strengthens the wider process of confidence-building and partnership between the authorities and civil society," said Lilian Darii, the Deputy Head of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek.

"It is of the utmost importance that elections are held in a fair and transparent way, and to achieve this. The CEC of the Kyrgyz Republic and civil society need to work together well," said Peter Neven, the Deputy Chief of the German Embassy in Bishkek.

Dinara Oshurahunova, the President of the non-governmental organization Coalition for Democracy and Civil Society, added: "This joint conference further strengthened the dialogue between the authorities and civil society on issues which are of public importance, the forthcoming presidential election among them."