Democratization in Action in Central Asia: A Comparative Study of OSCE and Domestic Civil Society Observations of Presidential Elections in Kyrgyzstan, 2005-2011

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis was to conduct a comparative analysis of OSCE/ODIHR and domestic civil society observations in Central Asia, with the case study of Kyrgyzstan. Though the study of election observation has become an important thematic issue, most have primarily focused on international election observation missions (IEOMs) and very few on domestic civil society election observations. International and domestic non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are among the key actors in economic, political and social issues worldwide, and increasingly so in post-communist states, as well. Among their activities have been election observations, considered by many as one of the basic tools of democratizing societies in their attempts to select their political representatives, and observe the transparency of the process. However, election observations in mostly authoritarian Central Asian states face a number of challenges, mainly ignoring of their recommendations on part of government officials, and accusations of being pro-Western and attempting to interfere in internal politics of sovereign states. Appropriately referred to by many as ‘the island of democracy’ in Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan is the only state in the region, which regularly allows for election observations by both international regional organizations and domestic civil society. This study argues, however, that although the OSCE/ODHIR and civil society election monitoring is welcomed to observe elections in Kyrgyzstan, their recommendations are only partly implemented by the state partly. The study also argues that given its nature and mandate, the OSCE/ODHIR is not authoritative enough for the Central Asian states to adopt and implement most of its recommendations. The study concurs, however, that in spite of challenges for election observation missions, Kyrgyzstan remains an outlier in Central Asia in allowing the relatively free functioning by both the international and domestic civil society election observations.