Project overview:

In response to a formal request from the Central Elections Commission of the Kyrgyz Republic (the CEC) to provide electoral assistance, and based on the UNDPPA Needs Assessment Mission, which recommended UN assistance to the electoral process the UNDP is implementing the Kyrgyzstan Electoral Support Programme (KESP). The Programme aims to assist the Central Election Commission of the Kyrgyz Republic to develop its capacity to support the 2020-2021 local and parliamentary elections with technologies to ensure sustained use of the biometrics-based voter identification model and to support other enabling factors for realizing free, fair, credible and transparent parliamentary elections. Programme also lays the groundwork for improvement of current and future electoral processes in the Kyrgyz Republic by developing sustainable capacity to manage elections through strong digital processes.

The aim is to assist the Central Election Commission of the Kyrgyz Republic to develop its capacity to support the 2020-2021 local and parliamentary elections with technologies to ensure sustained use of the biometrics-based voter identification model and to support other enabling factors for realizing free, fair, credible and transparent parliamentary elections. The Project will also lay the groundwork for improvement of current and future electoral processes in the Kyrgyz Republic by developing sustainable capacity to manage elections through strong digital processes.

The 22-month programme (February 2020 to December 2021) consists of three components:

1. Enhancing the inclusion, integrity and transparency of the electoral operations, including sustained upgrade and modernization of equipment;
2. Enhancing the capacity of the key national partners in conducting public outreach and external communication, including engagement with civil society, media and other key electoral stakeholders, and empowerment of women as voters and eligible candidates;
3. Enhancing the capacity of the CEC and other key stakeholders to identify, manage and respond to electoral violence, through systems dedicated to early warning and early response mechanisms.

Purpose and objectives

The purpose of the Project page is to guide donor agencies (Germany, Japan, Switzerland, UNDP) and main stakeholders (the Government of the KR, MFA KR, and Central Election Commission of the KR) on media engagement, branding and other aspects of public relations to ensure consistent visibility of donor’s assistance in Electoral Support Programme project in the Kyrgyz Republic. The Project page aims to position all donors as a development partner providing sustainable solutions for Electoral processes in the country and target communities.

Project page’s objectives include:

• Ensuring greater awareness among key audiences about the donor’s financial and intellectual support for the Kyrgyzstan Electoral Support Programme;
• Enhancing the visibility of Governments of Germany, Japan, Switzerland and UNDP as a donor by communicating project results through media interviews, press releases, articles, web stories, social media, events and other products;
• Ensuring consistent engagement with the Governments of Germany, Japan, Switzerland, UNDP representation in the Kyrgyz Republic;
• Maintaining consistency of communications and branding across various activities related to the Kyrgyzstan Electoral Support Programme.

The Project page provides a framework policy and guidance for Kyrgyzstan Electoral Support Programme. Development of a Communications and Visibility Plan linked to the goals of a specific project is the responsibility of Project’s Manager and the implementing team.

Interim results:

Voter registration and voter identification

• IT inventory analysis on the voter identification equipment provided
  
• Procurement of the voter identification equipment have been carried out
  
• Trainings on voter registration and use of voter identification equipment were held
  
• Training on Election Day Procedures were delivered

Cybersecurity

• Strengthening CEC capacity on cybersecurity
•  Cyberhygiene trainings

Campaign finance

• CEC campaign finance oversight function
•  Training and awareness-raising events on campaign finance issues
• Electronic Platform on Campaign Finance Reporting

Ensuring electoral rights of vulnerable groups

• Women’s participation in elections
• Migrant’s participation in elections

Support of the Civic Education Center

•  Seconding experts to the Civic Education Center (within support implementation of Civic Education Center Action Plan)
• Equipping CEC Civic Education Center with Mini-Printing House
• Support the CEC online-learning platform and development of the online-courses

Ensuring security of the electoral process

•  Trainings of law enforcement agencies on electoral security
• Trainings on election dispute resolution
• Trainings on hate speech prevention for law enforcement agencies
• Informational campaign on electoral violations prevention through Youth Engagement

Expected results:

OUTPUT 1: Integrity, efficiency and inclusiveness of the electoral operations enhanced

OUTPUT 2: The capacity of the key counterparts in conducting public outreach and external communication, including engagement with civil society, media and other key electoral stakeholders, and empowerment of women as voters and eligible candidates, is enhanced;

OUTPUT 3:  The capacity of the CEC and other key stakeholders to identify, manage and respond to electoral violence is enhanced

Status:  Ongoing

Start date: February 2020

Projected end date: December 2021

Geographic coverage: The project will support the implementation of activities nationally.

Subject area: Elections, Parliamentary Governance, Civic Education

Project coordinator:  Yulia Shipilova

Partners: The Central Election Commission of the Kyrgyz Republic, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, State Registration Service

Funding Source: Governments of Germany, Japan, Switzerland, UNDP