K. Voter lists

The OSCE/ODIHR has previously commented in election observation reports that inaccuracies in the voter lists have constituted a problem in prior elections and led to a large number of voters being included in supplementary lists. Reports of observers indicate that the quality of the voter lists remains an issue. While the draft law provides an adequate legal basis, in practice, the registration process is insufficient due to a lack of commitment, capacity and coordination by the institutions involved in the compilation of the voter lists. Some voters may have been disenfranchised and others registered more than once as a result of inaccuracies in the voter lists. This situation undermines the basic principle of universal and equal suffrage. Many of the recommendations of the OSCE/ODIHR relate to the procedural regulations issued by the CEC for updating voter lists and training of election commission members. However, some changes have been introduced in the draft law, some of which are positive and some negative.