US Senator John McCain expressed \"outrage\" over last week\'s parliamentary elections in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, saying balloting was riddled with irregularities. In both countries, McCain said, \"election day was marred by vote buying, de-registration of candidates, and media interference, and followed hyperbolic warnings by officials about the dangers of civil war,\" he said of the February 27 voting. \"I am particularly outraged by the forced shut-down of the only independent printing press in Kyrgyzstan, just four days before the election,\" he said. \"This sort of information control is reminiscent of the old Soviet days, and simply has no place in a free democracy.\" McCain called for greater transparency and adherence to international norms during March 13th\'s run off balloting. \"Kyrgyz officials know that the world is watching, and they should also know that choosing to deny their people the most basic political rights will carry profound implications,\" the prominent Republican lawmaker said. International observers included the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), found that Kyrgyzstan\'s elections fell short of international standards. McCain slammed balloting abuses in Tajikistan as \"even worse than in Kyrgyzstan,\" noting that election observers documented \"widespread multiple voting and unrealistically high turnout figures.\" \"These two countries can pretend no longer. The governments in these countries present a false choice -- chaotic democracy or authoritarian stability,\" McCain said. (AFP)