KYRGYZ ELECTION SEES HIGH VOTE COUNT AMIDST

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BISHKEK 000809 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/CEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM KG SUBJECT: KYRGYZ ELECTION SEES HIGH VOTE COUNT AMIDST OPPOSITION COMPLAINTS REF: BISHKEK 807 BISHKEK 00000809 001.2 OF 003 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: According to official data, at least 73% of registered voters cast ballots in the July 23 Kyrgyz presidential election. The Embassy fielded ten teams to observe the election, which, aside from a protest in Balykchi where two parliamentarians may have been detained, apparently proceeded fairly smoothly. However, Embassy teams observed irregularities with voter signature logs, the number of votes cast and the use of absentee ballots. The OSCE/ODIHR mission head told the DCM that her team had also observed irregularities, and said that she would be holding a press conference on July 24. ¶2. (SBU) Summary Continued: Opposition candidate Almazbek Atambayev declared the election "illegitimate" late in the afternoon, and called on his observers to withdraw from polling stations. Atambayev also proceeded with plans for two concerts in Bishkek July 23 that he indicated may become "meetings" for his supporters, and possibly those of fellow candidate Jenishbek Nazaraliyev. It appears that Atambayev's events may have attracted only limited numbers of supporters; however, the events are still ongoing. Kyrgyz officials plan to issue preliminary results July 24. While Embassy teams observed some irregularities, they do not appear, so far, to be as expansive as those observed in the 2007 parliamentary elections. However, Embassy will gather additional feedback July 24, and report new developments septel. End Summary. ¶3. (SBU) As part of Embassy's efforts to observe the July 23 presidential election, the Embassy fielded ten observation teams to all regions of Kyrgyzstan, except Batken Oblast. Embassy teams spoke with domestic and international observers at various polling sites, and observed the conduct of election day activities. Getting Out the Vote -------------- ¶4. (SBU) The Kyrgyz Central Election Commission (CEC) reported that at least 73% of registered voters had cast ballots in the election. With the exception of a demonstration in Balykchi (see below),Embassy teams reported that the election proceeded peacefully. Security personnel seemed to be present outside most polling stations, but in some locations police were observed inside the precincts -- an apparent violation of the electoral code. The following paragraphs describe some of our teams' observations that also represent issues of concern regarding the conduct of the election. ¶5. (SBU) Prior to and during election day, Embassy noted widespread accounts of significant efforts to ensure high voter turnout. On election day, Embassy teams noticed groups of voters being shuttled in to polling stations. In a small city west of Bishkek, one team observed a precinct chairperson being strongly advised by unknown individuals to ensure a high turnout. In Naryn Oblast, our team saw posted precinct protocols with the final number of votes cast (for the entire day) already completed by the early afternoon. ¶6. (SBU) While our Embassy teams noted moderate turnout, the rapidly mounting tallies of votes cast at polling stations throughout the country began drawing their attention. When an Osh precinct chairwoman told an Embassy team that, according to her records, nearly 90% of voters had already cast their ballots at that location, our Embassy team asked to view the voter logs and noted that only about 25% of voters had signed in. When asked about this apparent discrepancy, the chairwoman became defensive and advised our team that they could no longer review the voter logs. The team later returned to this location for the final vote BISHKEK 00000809 002.2 OF 003 count, and noticed a discrepancy of the same magnitude. The chairwoman could not offer an explanation. Another team in western Chui Oblast noticed a significant discrepancy in the reported number of votes cast and the number of people who signed the voter log. Teams in Jalalabad and Talas oblasts reported that the same signature had been used for multiple people on the voter logs. ¶7. (SBU) Elsewhere, our teams noted possible abuse of absentee ballots. Our team in Issyk Kul Oblast noted at one polling station in Karakol that of the 385 ballots cast, 240 had been absentee votes -- a level the team observed in other Issyk Kul polling stations. With absentee balloting, a potential voter can arrive with an approval form from their home district and be given a ballot anywhere in the country. With the requirement for inking fingers eliminated this year, it is not as easy to identify those individuals who have already voted. Another team in the Bishkek area noticed similarly high levels of absentee ballot utilization. OSCE/ODIHR Mission Head Comments on the Election -------------- --- ¶8. (SBU) OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission Head Radmila Sekerinska told DCM that ODIHR observers had noted some cases of ballot stuffing, vote buying, busing of voters and questionable use of absentee ballots. She also reported that the number of domestic observers was lower than expected. Sekerinska added that she would be holding a press conference at 14:00 on July 24. Atambayev Calls Vote Illegitimate -------------- ¶9. (SBU) Late in the afternoon, United People's Movement (UPM) candidate Almazbek Atambayev called a press conference where he cited irregularities and labeled the election "illegitimate." Jenishbek Nazaraliyev, another candidate, joined Atambayev in making this statement. Atambayev called on Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan (SDPK) election observers to abandon their observation of the election. (Note: Embassy teams subsequently noticed some SDPK observers leaving polling sites, and in other locations noted that virtually all observers had left before vote counting began. SDPK previously had joined other opposition movements under the UPM umbrella. End Note.) Quashed Protest in Balykchi -------------- ¶10. (SBU) Atambayev's action may have been partially prompted by developments in Balykchi, a small city on the western shore of Lake Issyk Kul. A group of several hundred individuals who gathered in Balykchi to protest alleged irregularities was dispersed by local police. However, during this incident, one SDPK parliamentarian was reportedly detained, as was another SDPK parliamentarian who went to investigate. The Ministry of Interior later described the illegal nature of the protest as justification for the police action. However, Balykchi officials denied that parliamentarians had been detained. The status of the two parliamentarians is currently unknown. Evening Rallies in Bishkek -------------- ¶11. (SBU) Atambayev is apparently proceeding with two previously scheduled concerts at SDPK headquarters and later at Gorky Park in central Bishkek. However, Embassy understands that the earlier 20:30 concert may become a rally, and the 22:00 Gorky Park event will start as a rally. As of 20:30, Embassy saw media reports that 500-600 people BISHKEK 00000809 003.2 OF 003 had gathered at SDPK headquarters and that several busloads of police were nearby. Atambayev also announced that Nazaraliyev will also join him at the 22:00 event. Embassy personnel who live near the second venue reported as of 22:00 that there was little activity, although plainclothes police were nearby. Preliminary Totals Sooner than Expected -------------- ¶12. (SBU) Kyrgyz television broadcast CEC deliberations of election-related challenges during the day, and CEC Chairman Damir Lisovskiy announced that preliminary election results would be available at 12:00 on July 24. While the official results, as noted reftel, are not due for several days, it is possible that results could be expedited. Embassy teams who observed final vote counts at precincts in eastern Chui Oblast, Jalalabad Oblast, eastern Issyk Kul Oblast and Osh City reported that Bakiyev received the most votes at those individual polling stations. Atambayev apparently trumped Bakiyev at one polling station in Naryn Oblast. Comment -------------- ¶13. (SBU) While our Embassy teams did observe cases of apparent irregularities during election day, these incidents so far do not appear to match the manipulations observed during the 2007 parliamentary elections. However, we will be taking note of what other international observers, especially the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission, report in the coming days in order to determine more clearly how the vote was conducted. Embassy will report additional developments septel. GFOELLER