OSCE helps to further ongoing electoral reform in Kyrgyzstan
On 11 May 2018, a public dialogue was organized by the Central Commission for Elections and Referenda of the Kyrgyz Republic (CEC) and the public foundation Civic Platform, with the support of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, to discuss ways to improve the electoral legislation and to identify the main strategic directions of electoral reform.
The event brought together election administration officials, Members of Parliament, representatives of the government and civil society, as well as international organizations.
Nurjan Shaildabekova, Chair of the CEC, stressed that “On the way to building democracy, it is important to capitalize on what has already been achieved within the electoral reform framework and to take it even further”.
The discussion focused on the improvement of mechanisms of legal relations between the electorate and candidates, political parties and law enforcement agencies. The effectiveness of tools to prevent violations of the electoral legislation was also debated.
The Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, Pierre von Arx, said that electoral reform is a continuous process: “We enjoy a fruitful partnership with the CEC and will continue to support electoral reform in the future. After all, elections are not just about voting on the election day, they are about a sense of citizenship and a sense of responsibility for the vote that one casts.”
The participants of the public dialogue also discussed the achievements of the Electoral Reform Working Group, which is currently developing a draft strategy on improving the electoral system for the consideration of the National Council for Sustainable Development led by the President. The Working Group, set up in 2013 by presidential decree, was instrumental in initiating and pushing forward the ongoing electoral reform.
The OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek will build upon its multi-year efforts to strengthen transparent, fair and free elections in Kyrgyzstan. Within the framework of ODIHR Election Observation Missions’ recommendations, the Programme Office will continue its assistance in improving the country’s electoral system.