OSCE-supported public hearings in Bishkek highlight Kyrgyzstan’s electoral reform

Reform of Kyrgyzstan’s election legislation was the topic of several OSCE-supported public hearings held in Bishkek on 31 May 2013.  Participants touched upon various aspects of the issue and discussed the functioning of a working group established by presidential decree to implement all steps necessary to reform the country’s electoral law.

The hearings were organized by the OSCE Centre in Bishkek and the non-governmental organization, “Parliament of Political Parties”. The goal of the hearings is to foster interaction between members of different interest groups, including high-ranking government officials, members of parliament, and the general public.

Roza Aknazarova, Chair of the NGO, said in her address that the process of improving electoral legislation should be started long before elections take place. “The initiative of the President to create this working group is timely. Transparency and fairness of future elections will depend on the appropriate implementation of the proposed new legislation,” she said.