ODIHR opens election observation mission in Kyrgyzstan
BISHKEK, 19 October 2021 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened an election observation mission (EOM) for the 28 November parliamentary elections in Kyrgyzstan, following an invitation from the national authorities.
The mission is led by Ambassador Audrey Glover and consists of a core team of 12 experts based in Bishkek and 26 long-term observers, who will be deployed throughout the country from 26 October. In addition, ODIHR plans to request OSCE participating States to send 350 short-term observers, to arrive several days before election day.
The mission will observe the elections for their compliance with OSCE commitments and other international obligations and standards for democratic elections, as well as with national legislation.
Observers will closely monitor the voter registration process, campaign activities, the work of the election administration and relevant governmental bodies, election-related legislation and its implementation, and the resolution of election-related disputes. As part of the observation, the mission will also monitor the media coverage of the campaign.
Meetings with numerous representatives of state authorities, political parties, civil society, the media and the international community form an integral part of the observation.
An interim report will be published to update the public and media during the course of the observation. The day after the elections, a statement of preliminary findings will be presented at a press conference, and ODIHR will publish a final report summing up the observation and making recommendations for improvements approximately two months after the end of the election process.
The ODIHR Election Observation Mission and the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek operate separately and independently under their own mandates. For further information on ODIHR’s election observation activities in Kyrgyzstan, please visit: https://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/kyrgyzstan
Media contacts:
Ivan Godarsky, Media Analyst with the Election Observation Mission: ivan.godarsky@odihr.kg or +996755855019
Katya Andrusz, ODIHR spokesperson: Katya.Andrusz@odihr.pl or +48 609 522 266