Kyrgyzstan's June 27 referendum ratifying a new constitution, despite some problems, reflected the will of Kyrgyzstan's voters, according to the findings of the country's leading domestic election monitoring organization, the Coalition for Democracy and Civil Society.

With the vote, the nation became the first in Central Asia to opt for a system that significantly limits presidential power in relation to parliament. Voters also approved Roza Otunbayeva as interim president for a term through December 2011. They will choose a new parliament in October.

After years of working in Serbia on political party development and elections, NDI has shifted its focus to aiding those who hold elective office, a reflection of the country's increased political stability. Rebecca Shoot, a resident program officer in NDI's Belgrade office, discusses the Institute's work with parliamentarians in Serbia's National Assembly.

What led NDI to focus on strengthening the Serbian parliament?

In the West African country of Guinea, the ruling military junta is preparing to hand over power to a civilian government after the country's June 27 presidential election. The poll would be the first open and competitive presidential election since independence in 1958, and all parties engaged in the country's transition process appear committed to peace and dialogue, according to a communiqué released on May 30 in Conakry, the capital.

The Western Balkans — Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia — face ethnic divisions and other politic