Kyrgyz presidential election fails international standards

BISHKEK, 30 October 2000 - The 2000 Kyrgyz presidential election failed to comply with OSCE commitments for democratic elections, concluded the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) in a statement of preliminary findings and conclusions released today, available on the Website (www.osce.org/odihr).

In particular, the international standards for equal, free, fair, and accountable elections were not met. This election did not reverse the negative trends identified during the recent parliamentary elections, instead undermining some of its positive features. Democratic development in the Kyrgyz Republic still remains comparatively viable, though increasingly challenged.

The electoral legislation provides the potential for democratic elections. However, implementation failures undermined this potential:

• Although six competing candidates offered the electorate some political choice, the restrictive process of candidate registration limited the field.

• Pressure against a major domestic election monitoring NGO violated fundamental freedoms, a setback from the parliamentary elections.

• Executive authorities, mostly at local and regional levels, interfered in the functioning of election commissions and the electoral process in general.

• Campaign restrictions and biased media failed to ensure free and fair conditions for candidates.

The electoral process also exhibited some positive elements, in particular:

• The Election Code provides for a remarkable level of transparency for the tabulation of results, allowing observers and candidates the possibility to audit the aggregation of results at all levels;
• The Central Election Commission remedied some shortcomings of the Election Code through normative acts;
• Election commissions at intermediate levels included a high percentage of women and national minorities; and

• Civil society remained active in the electoral process despite pressure from the authorities.

On election day, in a majority of precincts observed, the voting process was administered adequately and candidates were well represented. However, irregularities, in some cases serious ones, were noted. Regrettably, the remarkable level of transparency for the tabulation of results was marred by serious violations before the results were entered into the computerised system.

The OSCE/ODIHR stands ready to work closely with the authorities and civil society in the Kyrgyz Republic to address the concerns identified in this statement.

This statement is also available in Russian. A Kyrgyz translation will be available shortly.

However, the English text remains the only official version.

Mission Information

The OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission, headed by Mark Stevens (UK), was established on 21 September with a team of 16 international experts and long-term observers. The Election Observation Mission deployed 104 international observers on election day. Observers reported from more than 500 polling stations out of the 2,090 across the country.

The OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission wishes to thank the Presidential Administration, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Central Election Commission and subordinate commissions of the Kyrgyz Republic for their co-operation and assistance during the course of the observation.

• For further information, please contact Mark Stevens, Head of Mission, OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission, in Bishkek at tel./fax +996-312-213506, mob. +996-502-581524; or

• Andrew Bruce, Election Adviser, or Jens-Hagen Eschenbacher, Public Affairs Officer, OSCE/ODIHR in Warsaw at tel. +48-22-520-0600, fax +48-22-628-6967.

OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission

497 Frunze St., Apt.3

Bishkek