OSCE/ODIHR opens observation mission for constitutional referendum in Kyrgyzstan

BISHKEK, 25 May 2010 - The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today formally opened an observation mission for the 27 June constitutional referendum in Kyrgyzstan.

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

The mission is headed by Ambassador Boris Frlec and comprises a 13-member core team, based in Bishkek, with analysts and support staff drawn from ten OSCE participating States. In addition 13 long-term observers will be deployed throughout the country. For the day of the referendum, 300 short-term observers will be requested from OSCE participating States.

The observation mission will assess the referendum process for its compliance with OSCE commitments and other international standards, as well as with national legislation. The observers will monitor the work of the authorities responsible for organizing the referendum, the implementation of relevant legislation, the referendum campaign, the media environment and the resolution of disputes related to the referendum process.

On the day of the referendum, 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 referendum, followed by a final report approximately two months after the completion of the process.

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