Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights - Elections

In response to an invitation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan, the OSCE/ODIHR deployed an election observation mission for the 10 July 2005 presidential election.

The election was originally scheduled for October 2005 but was held earlier due to the resignation of President Askar Akaev. The president is elected for a five-year term of office.

A candidate is elected if he or she receives at least 50 per cent of the votes cast. If no candidate receives an absolute majority, a second round between the two candidates with the most votes is held two weeks later.

Long-term observation

The mission, headed by Ambassador Lubomir Kopaj of Slovakia, consisted of 15 international staff based in Bishkek and 26 long-term observers deployed in the regions.

The mission assessed the entire electoral process in terms of its compliance with international standards for democratic elections and national legislation.

It focused on the election campaign, the legislative framework and its implementation, the media situation, the work of the election administration and relevant government bodies, and the resolution of election-related disputes.

Election day

The ODIHR requested 300 short-term observers to be deployed immediately prior to the 10 July election. The short-term observers were deployed around the country in teams of two to monitor the opening of polling stations, the voting, the counting of ballots, and the tabulation of results.

The day after the election, the mission held a press conference and issued a statement of preliminary findings and conclusions.

Previous elections

The ODIHR observed the parliamentary elections in Kyrgyzstan in February 2005 and subsequently made a number of Interim recommendations in advance of the 10 July presidential elections. The ODIHR also observed the parliamentary and presidential elections in Kyrgyzstan in April and October 2000, respectively.