Common Cause: LONG-TERM OBSERVERATION
The Public Foundation “Common Cause” is a non-profit organization established to monitor elections at different levels in the Kyrgyz Republic, implement civic education projects and promote citizen participation in governance processes.
For the January 10, 2021 early presidential election, Common Cause is monitoring all stages of the election including the pre-election, election day, and post-election processes.
A long-term observation is carried out to:
- Ensure a fair electoral process in accordance with international standards and domestic legislation
- Analyze the electoral legal framework
- Deter and report election irregularities and fraud
- Provide verified, timely and objective information about the pre- and post-election period
Along with staff engaged in the Head office, 58 long-term observers were trained and deployed across the country to monitor:
- Formation and operations of election commissions at all levels
- Election campaign
- Voters’ lists
- Incidents and violations
- Tabulation of election results at TECs.
Their work is supported by 16 regional coordinators and lawyers, five experts monitoring the Central Election Commission (CEC), and Head office staff tasked to assist with the processing of received information and resolution of election irregularities and complaints.
Common Cause seeks to ensure that elections in Kyrgyzstan are conducted in line with national legislation and international standards for democratic elections in order to build public confidence in elections’ administration and election results. All Common Cause observers have been trained and have signed a Code of Conduct committing to carry out their duties in a non-partisan manner which is a key principle of Common Cause.
All long-term observers will report their general findings weekly and information about serious violations in a daily manner. Based on verified information, the Common Cause will issue one report on the pre-election period, a preliminary statement, and a final election report, accompanied with information on all observed irregularities and submitted complaints.
The "Nonpartisan Domestic Observation of the 2021 Early Presidential Elections in the Kyrgyz Republic” project is implemented by the Public Foundation "Common Cause". The Public Foundation's mission is to help create opportunities for citizens to influence the quality of their decisions in the country through participation, discourse, and public control.
