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International observers: Kyrgyzstan's referendum on constitutional amendments open,transparent

Xinhua, December 12, 2016 Adjust font size:

A recent referendum in Kyrgyzstan to introduce changes in the Constitution of the country was open, transparent and democratic, Deputy Secretary General Wang Kaiwen of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) said here on Monday.

Wang made the remarks at a press conference on the work of the SCO observation mission, which monitored 63 polling stations.

"The referendum on constitutional changes was held in accordance with the constitutional law and accepted international obligations. The whole process of voting took place in a calm and democratic atmosphere. The mission didn't notice any violations," Wang said, adding that no pressure was put on the voters.

In turn, the head of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) mission, Yevgeny Sloboda, said that the referendum was held freely and openly.

He said that their mission consisted of 66 observers from the CIS countries. "The Central Election Commission of Kyrgyzstan has created all conditions for campaigning," he said, referring to the high level of preparation for the elections.

Observers of the Association of World Election Bodies also highlighted a fair and transparent referendum.

Kyrgyzstan held a referendum to amend the existing constitution of the country on Sunday.

The initiative to change some articles in the Constitution through a referendum was brought about in August by four parliamentary factions, including the pro-presidential party of Social Democrats of Kyrgyzstan.

The proposed changes, relating to the judiciary, government and parliament, have been widely discussed.

According to preliminary data, 41.74 percent of the registered voters participated in the voting. Among them, 79.7 percent voted for the changes while 15.4 percent were against them.

It has been the eighth referendum on changing the Constitution in Kyrgyzstan since its independence in 1991. The last one took place in June 2010.

Together with the referendum, the elections of deputies to local councils were held in 22 cities, including Bishkek, and 389 village councils.

About 200 international observers from 46 international organizations and 25 countries monitored the referendum and elections. Endi