Brussels, 02/11/2011 (Agence Europe) - EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton, speaking on Monday 31 October, highlighted the need to improve the integrity of the electoral process in Kyrgyzstan, following the statements by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the Council of Europe and the European Parliament on irregularities in the presidential elections. “Some important shortcomings in the implementation of electoral legislation, especially concerning the voters' list and the counting and tabulation of votes, underscore the need to improve the integrity of the electoral process”, Ashton says in a press release. She welcomed “the peaceful conduct” of the elections which saw prime minister Almazbek Atambaïev receive 63% of votes cast and so become president with no need to hold a second round of voting. Ashton said that these elections constitute a final step in the process of transition in the country and “an important milestone towards the establishment of constitutional order and further democratic consolidation of the country”. (CG/transl.rt)