ODIHR election observation opens in Kyrgyzstan
BISHKEK/WARSAW, 26 May 2005 - The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) has established an Election Observation Mission for the presidential election in the Kyrgyz Republic on 10 July. The Election Observation Mission is composed of 15 election experts based in Bishkek and 26 long-term observers deployed to the regions. There are 21 OSCE participating States represented in the Mission.
The ODIHR deployed an observation mission for the parliamentary election last February and subsequently made interim recommendations for improvement of the election process in advance of the presidential poll. "Part of our task now will be to observe the implementation of these recommendations," said Ambassador Lubomir Kopaj, who heads the ODIHR Mission.
The ODIHR will assess the entire election process in terms of its compliance with OSCE commitments and other international standards for democratic elections and national legislation, focusing on the legislative framework and its implementation, the work of the election administration and relevant government bodies, fairness of the election campaign, the media situation and the resolution of election-related disputes.
Shortly before the election, the ODIHR Election Observation Mission will be joined by approximately 300 short-term observers, to be deployed across Kyrgyzstan. They will work in teams of two, monitoring the opening of polling stations, the voting, the counting of ballots and the tabulation of results.
The ODIHR has observed a number of elections in Kyrgyzstan. The final report of the election observation mission for the February 2005 parliamentary elections is now available in English and Russian, and a Kyrgyz language version will be released soon.
The ODIHR Election Observation Mission operates separately from the OSCE Centre in Bishkek, headed by Ambassador Markus Mueller, which will continue to carry out its regular activities under its existing mandate.
For further information about the Mission: Observation of the presidential election in Kyrgyzstan
For final report on the 2005 parliamentary elections: Final report on the parliamentary elections in Kyrgyzstan on 27 February and 13 March 2005