OSCE/ODIHR opens election observation mission for presidential election in Kyrgyzstan

BISHKEK, 15 June 2009 - The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today formally opened its election observation mission for the 23 July presidential election in Kyrgyzstan.

The mission's deployment followed an invitation from the Kyrgyz authorities.

The mission is headed by Radmila Sekerinska, a former Deputy Prime Minister of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. In addition to 11 election experts based in Bishkek, the mission consists of 24 long-term observers who will be deployed throughout the country. For election day, 300 short-term observers will be requested from participating States.

The observation mission will assess the presidential election for its compliance with OSCE commitments and other international standards, as well as national legislation. Observers will closely monitor campaign activities, the work of the election administration and relevant governmental bodies, election-related legislation and its implementation, the media environment, and the resolution of election-related disputes.

On election day, observers will monitor the opening of polling stations, the voting, the counting of ballots, and the tabulation of results.

A statement of preliminary findings and conclusions will be issued on the day after the election, followed by a final report approximately two months after the completion of the election process.

The OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission and the OSCE Centre in Bishkek operate independently under separate mandates.