Kyrgyzstan Electoral Support Programme (KESP)

Over the last two decades Kyrgyzstan has been aspiring to consolidate and advance its progress as a lower-middle-income country and as a parliamentary democracy. Following a period of turmoil and complex social, economic and political changes, the adoption of the 2010 constitution ushered in a period of growing stability.

Parliamentary elections in 2011 and 2015 have built the foundation for improved governance. The 2017 presidential elections further increased the trust in the electoral results and saw the second peaceful transfer of power. However, in the past, elections at times happened to result in social unrest in Kyrgyzstan, and many of the root causes of such unrest are still present today and remain a serious concern for coming elections.

Kyrgyzstan holds credible and legitimate elections in accordance with internationally recognized standards; and builds a sustainable institutional capacity to organize democratic elections that are genuine and periodic and have confidence of the contending parties and the electorate.

At the level of authorities: the Central Election Commission and its Civic Education Centre, security forces and criminal justice actors (judges, prosecutors, law enforcement officers).

At society level: civil society, media, local observers, individual citizens and voters, especially women, young people, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants.

Enhance the transparency and inclusiveness of the electoral process in the Kyrgyz Republic through enhanced electoral operations and modernized IT system, improved security and intensified public participation.

Risultati principali attesi:  

1. The integrity, efficiency and inclusiveness of the electoral operations are enhanced

2. The capacity of the key national partners (Central Election Commission and its territorial commissions) in conducting public outreach and external communication, including engagement with civil society, media and other key electoral stakeholders, and empowerment of women as voters and eligible candidates, is enhanced

3. Conflict mitigation mechanisms to support the peaceful conduct of elections are enhanced

Central Election Commission and other state actors involved in the electoral process Development Policy Institute and other civil society, media, development partners

SDC projects: “Strong and Inclusive Parliamentary Democracy” (SIPD); “Voice and Accountability” (VAP); “Public Service Improvement (PSI)”.

Other projects: “Strengthening inclusiveness of the electoral process” implemented by the Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe (OSCE) and cofunded by SDC; electoral assistance of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), and various projects funded by United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by organizations such as International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), National Democratic Institute (NDI) and International Republican Institute (IRI).

Fase 1 01.05.2020 - 30.06.2022   (Completed)