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OSCE Centre supports dialogue between civil society institutions, election commissions and media in Kyrgyzstan
BISHKEK 30 August 2004
BISHKEK, 30 August 2004 - The OSCE Centre in Bishkek has supported an initiative of the Central Election Commission of Kyrgyzstan and the Coalition for Democracy and Civil Society to hold a conference focused on establishing an open public dialogue between the potential participants of the election process in Kyrgyzstan.
The conference, "Institutions of civil society and elections," held 27 and 28 August in Issyk-Kul, embraced political parties and candidates, election organizers from central and district election commissions, public unions, media and observers. It also brought a new constructive approach for providing free, legitimate and transparent elections in the country.
Markus Muller, Head of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek said: "We are all in the same boat and we should be transparent and fair in order to ensure further democratic development of the country".
Among the key issues discussed at the conference were the practical implementation of the new Election Code provisions by all segments of the society; mechanisms for developing accurate voters' lists and registration of candidates; participation of political parties and public unions in the formation of election commissions; media election monitoring criteria and the role of observers during elections.
"We are on the threshold of important electoral processes in Kyrgyzstan, including local, parliamentary and presidential elections," said Sulaiman Imanbaev, Chairman of the Kyrgyz Central Election Commission. "Our main task is to study amendments and new techniques of the election procedures provided by the new Election Code and guarantee free and transparent elections in the country".
The conference adopted a mass media memorandum on free elections, a declaration of clean, open and legitimate elections, and a unified training programme on the rules and procedures for the observers from the non-governmental organizations and civil institutions.
The conference, "Institutions of civil society and elections," held 27 and 28 August in Issyk-Kul, embraced political parties and candidates, election organizers from central and district election commissions, public unions, media and observers. It also brought a new constructive approach for providing free, legitimate and transparent elections in the country.
Markus Muller, Head of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek said: "We are all in the same boat and we should be transparent and fair in order to ensure further democratic development of the country".
Among the key issues discussed at the conference were the practical implementation of the new Election Code provisions by all segments of the society; mechanisms for developing accurate voters' lists and registration of candidates; participation of political parties and public unions in the formation of election commissions; media election monitoring criteria and the role of observers during elections.
"We are on the threshold of important electoral processes in Kyrgyzstan, including local, parliamentary and presidential elections," said Sulaiman Imanbaev, Chairman of the Kyrgyz Central Election Commission. "Our main task is to study amendments and new techniques of the election procedures provided by the new Election Code and guarantee free and transparent elections in the country".
The conference adopted a mass media memorandum on free elections, a declaration of clean, open and legitimate elections, and a unified training programme on the rules and procedures for the observers from the non-governmental organizations and civil institutions.