Electoral Resilience of Citizen Election Observers: A Case Study of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan

This article focuses on the dynamics of autocratization processes in the context of contested elections and shrinking civic space, using the case of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan as an example. Kyrgyzstan exemplifies the characteristics of autocratization processes through the manipulation of elections and continuous attempts to restrict civic space. After two “revolutions,” the Republic faces a third autocratization process where elections are used to consolidate power and reshape the political system. This article explores the response strategies of citizen election observers to autocratization. This process has triggered different reactions, such as coalition building, mobilization, adaptation, and resignation. Theoretically, this study connects to academic debates on the third wave of autocratization, shrinking civic spaces and electoral integrity. It proposes the concept of electoral resilience and its sources for citizen election observers to explain why they are able to respond to restrictions. The empirical findings suggest that the existence of formal electoral networks and the organizational health are important sources for electoral resilience. International aid can build electoral resilience through financial support; however, it can also have negative impacts on the resilience of citizen election observers.