The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) also claimed that Bakiyev had unfair advantages in terms of superior media coverage of his campaign, and vote rigging.

[4] Another opposition politician, former defence minister Ismail Isakov, announced on 19 May 2009 that he would withdraw from the race to improve Atambayev's chances, reducing the field from 18[5] to 17 potential candidates.

[6] Apart from Bakiyev and Atambayev, three more candidacies were approved: Those of Toktayym Ümötalieva (chairwoman of the Association of Nongovernmental and Nonprofit Organizations), physician Jengishbek Nazaraliev and Temir Sariyev.

[7] Bakiyev's advertising campaign consisted primarily of television ads, billboards, and paper fliers in windows of stores, companies, and kiosks.

[citation needed] The OSCE stated that Bakiyev gained an "unfair advantage" and that the media bias "did not allow voters to make an informed choice."