21 November 2025
Op-ed originally published at European Interest
By Claude Haagen (MP, Luxembourg), Special Co-ordinator and Leader of the OSCE short-term election observation mission, and Monika Zajkova (MP, North Macedonia), Head of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Delegation of observers
Claude Haagen (MP, Luxembourg), Special Co-ordinator and Leader of the OSCE short-term election observation mission, and Monika Zajkova (MP, North Macedonia), Head of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Delegation of observersIn just a few days, voters across Kyrgyzstan will go to polling stations for early parliamentary elections in an important political moment for the country. These elections follow the parliament’s self-dissolution at the end of September and take place amid wide-ranging legislative reforms that have changed most aspects of the electoral framework. As leaders of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s election observation mission, we come to Kyrgyzstan to listen, to learn, and to see firsthand how these reforms are taking shape and if they are in line with democratic values.
Many of the people we met during the pre-election visit and online discussions highlighted just how many parts of the electoral framework have been amended. Introduction of a majoritarian single non-transferable vote system with 30 new three-member districts, a gender requirement per electoral district, while also revising rules on campaigning, financing, and candidate eligibility.
These reforms represent a significant turning point. They influence who can run, how candidates campaign, how districts are shaped, and how voters engage with the process. Several interlocutors we met during the pre-election visit shared their views about the inclusiveness and transparency these changes are bringing, and how they may shape political competition on election day. Hearing these insights in person made it clear just how important it is to observe how the new system operates in practice on 30 November.
These elections also introduced major changes in the way voting itself will take place. New voting equipment will be used to integrate key procedures and to tabulate preliminary results electronically, while manually counted ballots remain the official results. Remote voting will be possible for the first time in general elections, allowing citizens to vote outside their home district.
These technological innovations have attracted considerable attention. In a rapidly evolving environment, our observers will be watching closely to see how these arrangements work for voters in practice.
The media environment has also changed significantly since the last parliamentary elections in 2021. New rules require online media to register, limit foreign ownership, restrict freelance journalism, and therefore outlets are required to adjust their operations to new evolving conditions. For voters, this means that access to information may look different than in previous election cycles. As always, our observers will be attentive to how voters receive information and how contestants communicate their messages throughout the process.
In the coming days, our teams will deploy throughout the regions to see firsthand how this new electoral system functions on the ground, how voters engage with it, how the procedures are implemented, and how the campaign unfolds at the local level. These elections take place at a time of substantial change, and we approach our work with a commitment to impartiality, professionalism, and respect for the people of Kyrgyzstan. Our preliminary findings and conclusions will be shared publicly after election day.
Kyrgyzstan stands at an important moment, with a new electoral framework and new tools shaping the path ahead. We look forward to continuing our engagement with all stakeholders and to observing this process alongside our international partners.
For information on previous election observation missions to Kyrgyzstan, please click here.
