OSCE/ODIHR presents recommendations from final report on 2015 parliamentary elections in Kyrgyzstan

Election experts from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) presented the findings and recommendations from the final report on the 4 October 2015 parliamentary elections in Kyrgyzstan, at an event held in the Kyrgyz capital on 24 May 2016 and co-organized with the OSCE Centre in Bishkek.

The event brought together officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Central Commission for Elections and Referenda, the Presidential Administration, the State Registration Service, and the Supreme Court, as well as representatives of civil society and the media.

"We welcome Kyrgyzstan’s willingness to follow-up on our electoral recommendations in an inclusive and open manner," said Richard Lappin, ODIHR’s Senior Election Adviser. "ODIHR is ready to support this process, including through the review of amendments to electoral legislation."

Sergey Kapinos, head of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek, said: "I am pleased to note that the Central Commission for Elections and Referenda and the State Registration Service, along with other structures of the country are willing to work hard to make the electoral process pass in a transparent and democratic manner in accordance with the OSCE commitments, international standards and national legislation."

Discussions focused on ODIHR recommendations to build broad consensus on legal amendments, increase election administration transparency, enhance the inclusiveness of voter registration and participation, strengthen enforcement of quota requirements for candidate lists, and provide greater access to observers to follow all stages of the electoral process.

All OSCE participating States have committed themselves to promptly follow up on ODIHR election assessments and recommendations.