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OSCE/ODIHR will observe Kyrgyz presidential elections, concerned about candidate registration procedures
WARSAW 14 September 2000
WARSAW, 14 September 2000 - The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) will establish an election observation mission in Kyrgyzstan to monitor the presidential election scheduled for 29 October.
"We believe that this election is of great importance for the democratic development of Kyrgyzstan", said ODIHR Director Gérard Stoudmann, the Head of OSCE's principal institution dealing with the observation of elections. "The conduct of democratic elections is essential to restore confidence in the election process after the shortcomings of last February's parliamentary election."
However, the ODIHR has already identified a number of serious concerns, in particular the language test candidates have to pass as a precondition for registration. The ODIHR will reassess the situation after the completion of candidate registration procedures. "It is critical that candidates be allowed to register without discrimination", said Stoudmann, "otherwise the competitive and democratic nature of the elections could be called into question."
Mr. Mark Stevens (UK) has been appointed Head of the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission and will arrive in Kyrgyzstan on 21 September. He will be shortly joined by a team of experts and long-term observers.
For further information, please contact Jens-Hagen Eschenbächer, ODIHR Public Affairs Officer, or Andrew Bruce, ODIHR Election Adviser, at +48-22-520 06 00
"We believe that this election is of great importance for the democratic development of Kyrgyzstan", said ODIHR Director Gérard Stoudmann, the Head of OSCE's principal institution dealing with the observation of elections. "The conduct of democratic elections is essential to restore confidence in the election process after the shortcomings of last February's parliamentary election."
However, the ODIHR has already identified a number of serious concerns, in particular the language test candidates have to pass as a precondition for registration. The ODIHR will reassess the situation after the completion of candidate registration procedures. "It is critical that candidates be allowed to register without discrimination", said Stoudmann, "otherwise the competitive and democratic nature of the elections could be called into question."
Mr. Mark Stevens (UK) has been appointed Head of the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission and will arrive in Kyrgyzstan on 21 September. He will be shortly joined by a team of experts and long-term observers.
For further information, please contact Jens-Hagen Eschenbächer, ODIHR Public Affairs Officer, or Andrew Bruce, ODIHR Election Adviser, at +48-22-520 06 00