New Delhi
9 July 2005
The central Asian republic of Kyrgyzstan will take tentative steps
towards "real" democracy when it goes to polls on Sunday in an election that will be
closely watched in India and other world capitals.
Some 2.55 million voters are expected to exercise their franchise in an election that was
brought about after violent protests against a flawed parliamentary poll and subsequent
ouster of former president Askar Akayev in March.
The office for democratic institutions and human rights of the Organisation for Security
and Cooperation in Europe has deployed an election observation mission. This would be
besides 600 observers from 30 countries.
Acting president Kurmanbek Bakiev is one of six candidates in the fray. A candidate has
to win at least 50 per cent of the votes failing which a second round between the two
candidates with the most votes will be held.
The Kyrgyz embassy in India said officials from the Indian mission in Bishkek would join
observers from other countries to monitor the election and to ensure the first-ever free
and fair poll since its independence.
In India, Kyrgyz nationals would cast their votes at a polling station inside the embassy
in New Delhi. Paper ballots would be cast into a "glass box" to preclude any scope for
suspicion of rigging the poll.
"We hope that new leader will be able to lead a real democratic republic and bring peace
for prosperity of the country. And of course we deeply hope that after the elections our
people will start a new life," the embassy said.
India has had traditionally good relations with Kyrgyzstan whose geopolitical importance
and economic potential is of particular interest for New Delhi. India is also an observer
of the SCO that has Kyrgyzstan as a member.
The UN resident coordinator in Kyrgyzstan was quoted as saying that Kyrgyzstan was at
a turning point. He felt there was an urgent need to bring stability and to strengthen
national institutions through fair elections.
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