ODIHR opens limited election observation mission in Kyrgyzstan

BISHKEK, 9 December 2020 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened a limited election observation mission (LEOM) for the 10 January early presidential election in Kyrgyzstan, following an invitation from the national authorities. The mission is led by Tamas Meszerics and consists of a core team of 13 experts based in Bishkek and 22 long-term observers, who will be deployed throughout the country from 15 December. The mission will assess whether the elections are held in line with OSCE commitments and other international obligations and standards for democratic elections, as well as with national legislation. Observers will closely monitor fundamental aspects of the elections such as voter registration, campaign activities, the work of the election administration and relevant government bodies, election-related legislation and its implementation, and the resolution of election-related disputes. The mission will also monitor 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. While mission members will visit a limited number of polling stations on election day, there will not be any systematic observation of voting, counting or tabulation of results. An interim report will be published to update the public and media during the course of the observation. The day after the elections, ODIHR’s preliminary findings and conclusions will be presented at a press conference. A final report summing up the observation and making recommendations for improvements will be published approximately two months after the end of the election process.