Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BISHKEK668
2009-06-23 11:41:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Bishkek
Cable title:
KYRGYZ ELECTION: OSCE ELECTION OBSERVATION MISSION
how-toVZCZCXRO6687 OO RUEHAST RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHDBU RUEHLH RUEHLN RUEHNEH RUEHPW RUEHSK RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHEK #0668 1741141 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 231141Z JUN 09 FM AMEMBASSY BISHKEK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2368 INFO RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 3133 RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RUEKJCS/OSD WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 1420 RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 3468 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 2854 RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO BRUSSELS BE RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORP RUMICEA/USCENTCOM INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL
UNCLAS BISHKEK 000668
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM KG
SUBJECT: KYRGYZ ELECTION: OSCE ELECTION OBSERVATION MISSION
BRIEFS DIP CORPS
REF: A. BISHKEK 662
B. BISHKEK 651
C. BISHKEK 595
D. BISHKEK 521
UNCLAS BISHKEK 000668
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM KG
SUBJECT: KYRGYZ ELECTION: OSCE ELECTION OBSERVATION MISSION
BRIEFS DIP CORPS
REF: A. BISHKEK 662
B. BISHKEK 651
C. BISHKEK 595
D. BISHKEK 521
1. (SBU) The Organization for Security and Cooperation in
Europe Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
(OSCE/ODIHR) Election Observation Mission (EOM) held a
briefing for diplomatic representatives to discuss current
and planned observation activities for the July 23
presidential election. Representatives from Germany, Turkey,
Japan, Ukraine, and the U.S., along with those from
Kyrgyzstan's Central Asian neighbor states, attended. EOM
Head Radmila Sekerinska said that the Mission had begun its
activities, with 12 two-person teams of long-term observers
deployed around the country, and with comprehensive media
monitoring taking place since June 11. She said that the EOM
planned to field 300 short-term observers to cover the 2333
voting precincts throughout the country on election day.
2. (SBU) Sekerinska noted that nearly 130,000 Kyrgyz citizens
were already registered to vote abroad. She explained that
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (and not the Central Election
Commission) was responsible for arrangements for
out-of-country voting. She said the MFA had plans for 49
voting precincts in 23 countries, including sites at
embassies and consulates, but also in bazaars and cafes
frequented by expatriate Kyrgyz. (Note: The list of
official sites has been published in the official Kyrgyz
press. End Note.) Sekerinska clarified that the EOM's
mandate did not include observation of voting abroad.
3. (SBU) Sekerinska highlighted two significant changes to
the Election Code introduced since the December 2007
parliamentary elections. First, the inking of voters'
fingers as a precaution against double-voting has been
eliminated. Second, the procedure for including a voter onto
a precinct's "additional list" has been simplified, and a
court order is no longer required. (Note: The "additional
list" is for voters who vote outside their home precinct or
have been left off of the voters list. End Note.) Under the
new requirements, citizens can be added to the lists after
demonstrating proof of residence and displaying valid
identification. Sekerinska added that the Central Election
Commission (CEC) did not yet have a mechanism for
cross-checking lists on a nationwide basis to guard against
multiple voting.
4. (SBU) In addition, Sekerinska said that the CEC had
changed the procedures regarding public posting of voter
lists: the lists will no longer be posted publicly at
polling stations, but individual voters will have the right
to check with their Precinct Election Commission to confirm
they are included on the list.
5. (SBU) Deputy EOM Head Beata Martin-Rozumilowicz said that,
in addition to short-term observers recruited abroad from
OSCE member states, the EOM would also recruit international
short-term observers locally from diplomatic missions.
6. (U) Sekerinska said that the EOM would hold additional
briefings for OSCE member states and international
organizations as the election campaign progresses.
LITZENBERGER
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM KG
SUBJECT: KYRGYZ ELECTION: OSCE ELECTION OBSERVATION MISSION
BRIEFS DIP CORPS
REF: A. BISHKEK 662
B. BISHKEK 651
C. BISHKEK 595
D. BISHKEK 521
1. (SBU) The Organization for Security and Cooperation in
Europe Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
(OSCE/ODIHR) Election Observation Mission (EOM) held a
briefing for diplomatic representatives to discuss current
and planned observation activities for the July 23
presidential election. Representatives from Germany, Turkey,
Japan, Ukraine, and the U.S., along with those from
Kyrgyzstan's Central Asian neighbor states, attended. EOM
Head Radmila Sekerinska said that the Mission had begun its
activities, with 12 two-person teams of long-term observers
deployed around the country, and with comprehensive media
monitoring taking place since June 11. She said that the EOM
planned to field 300 short-term observers to cover the 2333
voting precincts throughout the country on election day.
2. (SBU) Sekerinska noted that nearly 130,000 Kyrgyz citizens
were already registered to vote abroad. She explained that
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (and not the Central Election
Commission) was responsible for arrangements for
out-of-country voting. She said the MFA had plans for 49
voting precincts in 23 countries, including sites at
embassies and consulates, but also in bazaars and cafes
frequented by expatriate Kyrgyz. (Note: The list of
official sites has been published in the official Kyrgyz
press. End Note.) Sekerinska clarified that the EOM's
mandate did not include observation of voting abroad.
3. (SBU) Sekerinska highlighted two significant changes to
the Election Code introduced since the December 2007
parliamentary elections. First, the inking of voters'
fingers as a precaution against double-voting has been
eliminated. Second, the procedure for including a voter onto
a precinct's "additional list" has been simplified, and a
court order is no longer required. (Note: The "additional
list" is for voters who vote outside their home precinct or
have been left off of the voters list. End Note.) Under the
new requirements, citizens can be added to the lists after
demonstrating proof of residence and displaying valid
identification. Sekerinska added that the Central Election
Commission (CEC) did not yet have a mechanism for
cross-checking lists on a nationwide basis to guard against
multiple voting.
4. (SBU) In addition, Sekerinska said that the CEC had
changed the procedures regarding public posting of voter
lists: the lists will no longer be posted publicly at
polling stations, but individual voters will have the right
to check with their Precinct Election Commission to confirm
they are included on the list.
5. (SBU) Deputy EOM Head Beata Martin-Rozumilowicz said that,
in addition to short-term observers recruited abroad from
OSCE member states, the EOM would also recruit international
short-term observers locally from diplomatic missions.
6. (U) Sekerinska said that the EOM would hold additional
briefings for OSCE member states and international
organizations as the election campaign progresses.
LITZENBERGER