International observers positive on Kyrgyzstan's referendum results
| 2010-6-27 |
International observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and Russian Central Elections Commission were positive about the constitutional referendum held on 27 June in Kyrgyzstan.
A total of 189 international observers representing more than 30 countries and 17 international organizations came to Kyrgyzstan for monitoring the referendum.
The OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) recognized the outcome of the referendum, said monitoring mission chief Boris Frlec here on 28 June.
"We should note that the vote was not fully consistent with the standards and norms of local legislation, but the referendum itself and how it can be passed shall be recognized," he was cited by RIA Novosti news agency as saying.
The Kyrgyz government managed to create appropriate conditions for holding a peaceful referendum, and the general voter turnout was high, he added.
SCO observers have recognized the governance of the referendum, the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry said on 28 June.
"The referendum was well organized, calm and transparent," SCO observation mission chief, SCO Deputy Secretary General Hong Jiuyin told Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Ruslan Kazakbayev.
The SCO observers visited 47 polling stations in Bishkek, Kant, Kara-Balt, Tokmok and some other towns in the northern Chuy region.
Earlier on 28 June, Russian Central Elections Commission's head Vladimir Churov said the referendum was up to standards.
"The organization of the referendum generally met the universally accepted standards and was better than expected, given the recent events in the country, from the April revolution to the clashes in the south, and the short time allowed for preparations," Churov, who visited southern Kyrgyzstan with a group of Russian representatives, told a press conference on 28 June.
Churov reiterated that security at the referendum met the European standards.
According to the Kyrgyz Central Election Commitee, the referendum had a voter turnout of 69.48 percent. The preliminary vote counting results showed over 90 percent voters have backed the new draft constitution.
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