NordenBladet —
Members of the Estonian delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Heljo Pikhof and Sven Sester will observe the Kyrgyzstan parliamentary elections in Bishkek, the capital of the Kyrgyz Republic, this Sunday.
“Great changes have taken place in Kyrgyzstan during the last months,” member of the delegation Heljo Pikhof said. “This year alone, two referendums have been held in the country. The changes that have been undertaken are paving the way towards a presidential system of government,” Pikhof said. She added that the task of the elections observers was to give an honest and impartial assessment to the elections.
Sven Sester thinks that the parliamentary elections this Sunday will be a crucial moment in the governance of Kyrgyzstan. “The extent of this observation mission shows that the international community is closely monitoring the direction of the changes undertaken in Kyrgyzstan, and the correctness and transparency in conducting the forthcoming elections,” Sester added.
More than 60 members of national parliaments from 21 countries will observe the parliamentary elections in Kyrgyzstan within the framework of the mission organised by the OSCE PA. In total, over 300 observers will participate in the mission. The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) has previously observed 13 elections and referenda in the Kyrgyz Republic, most recently the presidential election in January 2021.
Election observation missions have been an important part of OSCE’s activities since 1993. The missions monitor whether the elections are conducted legitimately and respect the democratic standards. Observers also assess how earlier election-related recommendations have been implemented in the country.
For more information, please contact:
Heljo Pikhof +372 511 9637
Sven Sester +372 504 9222
Source: Parliament of Estonia