Asia-Pacific News
OSCE: Elections "crucial" for Kyrgyzstan future
Oct 9, 2010, 11:09 GMT
Berlin - Sunday's parliamentary elections in Kyrgyzstan will be key to the country's future prospects, the head of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said Saturday, urging a free and fair voting process.
OSCE chairman and Kazakhstan's Foreign Minister Kanat Saudabayev, said in a statement that the elections 'will be crucial for the country's future and difficult tasks await those elected.'
He called on authorities in the country 'to ensure that the democratic will of the people is reflected' in the outcome.
Peace remains fragile in the mountainous Central Asian nation, which borders on China, as tensions between ethnic Kyrgyz and ethnic Uzbeks continue to simmer.
Recent explosions of violence around the southern cities of Osh and Jalal-Abad is thought to have claimed some 2,000 lives. A new government is needed after the old one was ousted in a popular revolution last spring.
The country has some 2.8 million eligible voters and 29 registered political parties.
Read more about Kyrgyzstan Elections
Read more about OSCE
