III. DISCUSSION OF THE DRAFT NATIONAL ELECTIONS LAW AND THE DRAFT ELECTION COMMISSIONS LAW

M. Election campaign provisions

Article 27(1) limits the right to issue printed campaign materials to “candidates and political parties”. All persons in the Kyrgyz Republic have the rights to freedom of expression, and association, which can be considered as encompassing the right to issue printed campaign materials. Article 27(1) limits these rights, contrary to international standards.[1] The Venice Commission and OSCE/ODIHR recommend that the limitations in Article 27(1) be reconsidered.

[1] See Articles 19 and 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; Articles 19 and 22 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; Articles 10 and 11 of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms; Paragraph 9.1 of the 1990 OSCE Copenhagen Document.