Immediate and resolute measures needed ahead of parliamentary vote in Kyrgyzstan, ODIHR report says

WARSAW, 27 July 2010 - Immediate and resolute measures are needed to address shortcomings in Kyrgyzstan's electoral framework ahead of the parliamentary vote expected to take place this autumn, concludes a report published today by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).

The report, an assessment of the 27 June constitutional referendum, includes some 40 recommendations for electoral reform in Kyrgyzstan.

"The forthcoming parliamentary elections will be an important test for Kyrgyzstan's young democracy," said Ambassador Janez Lenarcic, ODIHR's Director.

He added that the way these elections will be conducted has significant implications for the country's stability and democratic development.

"Our recommendations can serve as a blue-print for the reforms that need to be undertaken without delay in order to bring the conduct of elections in Kyrgyzstan in line with OSCE commitments," Lenarcic said.

The report includes a cautiously positive assessment of the June referendum and calls for a number of good practices to be retained and strengthened in the run-up to the autumn vote. The Central Election Commission should continue to work in a transparent, professional and collegial manner. It should ensure that all its decisions and election results broken down by polling stations should again be published without delay.

But the report also identifies areas where improvements are necessary. Several election procedures and legal provisions require clarification prior to the parliamentary elections. Better training of polling station staff is needed to improve the organization of proceedings on election day. This includes the counting and tabulation of results and completion of protocols in ink before they are signed by commission members. Additional safeguards need to be introduced to protect against multiple voting.

Other recommendations relate to the provision of effective and timely remedy to complainants, the continuation of efforts to improve the quality of voter lists and the fair coverage by the media of parties contesting the elections. The independence of election commissions should be strengthened by preventing interference of local administrations in their work, and clear and consistent procedures should be applied for their formation.

The report also supports the proposal to adopt a code of conduct committing political parties to responsible campaigning and fair conduct of the election process.

Lenarcic stressed that stabilizing the security and human rights situation in the southern part of Kyrgyzstan will be a major challenge: "Conditions must be in place across the country for voters and candidates from all ethnic backgrounds to participate in the election free from fear and intimidation."

The full assessment including the recommendations is available at: //www.osce.org/odihr/elections/70938

ODIHR plans a follow-up visit to Kyrgyzstan to discuss the report and its recommendations and expects to send an observation mission to monitor the parliamentary elections in autumn upon invitation of Kyrgyzstan's authorities.