These actions taken together served to limit the information available to voters and to limit the voters choice. On the day these elections took place, we welcomed the fact that the six registered candidates remained on the ballot and were able to field monitors, although we were dismayed that fourteen other candidates had previously been denied registration. These factors, along with the restricted and biased media, undermined the validity of the elections and ultimately rendered them neither free nor fair. These elections represented an opportunity for the Kyrgyz government to remedy problems and reverse negative trends that arose during the parliamentary elections. Instead, these elections represented a setback for the development of democracy.
Democratization is a long and difficult process.
Despite the current setbacks, we continue to believe that fundamental elements of civil society are becoming incrementally established in Kyrgyzstan. We hope that the Government of Kyrgyzstan and its people will work swiftly, deliberately, and cooperatively to improve its electoral system and practices and restore confidence in Kyrgyzstan s commitment to democratic principles.