 | This article or section possibly contains synthesis of material that does not verifiably mention or relate to the main topic.(November 2023) |
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| Turnout | 39.16% ( 17.16pp) | ||||||||||||||||
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 Results by district; all were won by Japarov | |||||||||||||||||
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| Constitution |
Snap presidential elections were held in Kyrgyzstan on 10 January 2021, [1] [2] alongside a constitutional referendum. The elections were called early following the resignation of President Sooronbay Jeenbekov in the wake of the 2020 Kyrgyzstani protests.
On 24 October 2020, the Central Electoral Commission of Kyrgyzstan (BShK) announced that an early presidential election would be held on 10 January 2021. The announcement of the early election occurred after several weeks of public protests and political chaos which caused the resignation of President Sooronbai Jeenbekov. The upheaval followed accusations of election corruption occurring in the October 2020 parliamentary elections, which were subsequently annulled by the Central Electoral Commission. [2] [3]
These elections follow an extended period of upheaval and represent a culmination of popular discontent stemming from the perceived 'mismanagement' of the COVID-19 pandemic, and widespread political corruption. These elections will invoke Kyrgyzstan's 3rd 'formal' change of government (5th when considering the effects of two 'informal' altercations – a 'constitutional coup' in 2017, and the "large demonstration gone wrong" [4] of the 5th of October 2020) in recent years.
Former President Jeenbekov had "failed to attend to public grievances", and as such a "crisis of authentic figures" emerged in the aftermath of his ousting from power in October 2020. Prominent nationalist political figure Sadyr Japarov rose to "fill" this political space after being freed from prison by protestors and assuming the role of interim prime minister following the resignation of Jeenbekov. [5] Amid national "revolutionary fervor", Japarov was acquitted of an 11.5-year sentence for kidnapping a local official and became Kyrgyzstan's acting president with plans for new constitutional and presidential elections. Japarov cites a clean reputation, with no record of corruption.
In the aftermath of Soviet collapse, Kyrgyzstan has been long regarded an "island of democracy" amidst a largely authoritarian Central Asia. [6] Schmitter and Karl provide a useful framework by which one may determine 'democracy' within What Democracy Is… and Is Not, outlining six "key" components within a broader assertion that there exist many types of democracy, and that their diverse practices produce similarly varied set of effects. [7] Prior to October 2021, Kyrgyzstan was considered one of Central Asia's "most successful – if turbulent – democracies," [8] practicing seemingly open and fair elections. Such turbulence is palpable when considering Schmitter and Karl's definition of modern political democracy as a "system of governance in which rulers are held accountable for their actions in the public realm by citizens, acting indirectly through the competition and cooperation of their elected representatives." [9] As Jeenbekov was deposed in October 2020 through popular uprising – and not by 'formal' political procedure – it is possible to conceive of the failings of pre-election, and pre-constitutional referendum, democracy in this sense.
The elections were held using the two-round system, where if no candidate received a majority in the first round, a second would be held between the top two finishers. [10] Under the 2010 constitution, the presidential term is six years. Re-election was not permitted. [11]
In order to register, applicants had until 4 December 2020 to gather 30,000 signatures in support of their candidacy and pay a ballot access fee of KGS 1,000,000 (US$ 11,830). [12]
As of 14 November 2020, 63 individuals had filed applications to run for the office. On 4 December, the Central Committee on Elections announced the final list of 19 approved candidates. [13]
It was announced that whilst the requirements for candidacy had been provisionally met by all 19, the final number was subject to decrease pending verification of the signatures provided within their applications. Candidates were permitted to begin formally campaigning from the 15th of December 2020, with 'early' presidential elections scheduled for January 10, 2021. [14]
All candidates officially ran as independents, although some were supported by their respective political parties. On the final electoral ballot were listed 17 candidates including: Sadyr Japarov – aforementioned interim President following the resignation of former-President Sooronbai Jeenbekov – former head of the State National Security Committee (Государственный Комитет Национальной Безопасности) Abdil Segizbayev, journalist Kanybek Imanaliev, ex-deputy head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (МВД) Kursan Asanov, and entrepreneur Arstanbek Abdyldaev.[ citation needed ] There was one female registered presidential candidate.
According to a 2021 report by the OSCE (the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe), the verification of signatures by the Central Committee on Elections (Центральная Избирательная Комиссия Киргизской Республики) was "transparent and consistent." [15]
Sadyr Japarov won the election handily, receiving nearly 80% of the vote. A total of 10,851 ballots returned were invalid, in addition to 196 which were retrieved from invalid portable ballot boxes. Turnout was 39.16%. The results of the simultaneous constitutional referendum meant that Kyrgyzstan would resort to a 'presidential', rather than a 'parliamentary' style of government. [16]
Fewer than 40% of eligible voters participated in these 'snap' presidential elections.[ citation needed ] According to Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty's Kyrgyz service (Azattyk.org) out of a national 'voting' population of 3.56 million, only 1.354 million ballots were cast.[ citation needed ] Sadyr Japarov received the 2nd highest percentage of votes in the entire history of Kyrgyz presidential elections – falling just short of Kurmanbek Bakiev's 89.5% in 2005.[ citation needed ]
According to a 2021 report by the OSCE (the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe), the January presidential election in Kyrgyzstan was "well organized and fundamental freedoms were generally respected." [15] However, presidential elections were conducted in synchronicity with 'snap' constitutional referendums that "weakened both the election process and public debate."[ citation needed ] It is critical that this election was "dominated by one candidate who benefitted from disproportionately large financial means and misuse of administrative resources, resulting in an uneven playing field".[ citation needed ] Whilst the legal framework of these elections "provides a sound basis for democracy,"[ citation needed ] allegations of such misuse of administrative resources may include the "directed attendance of state employees at rallies… pressure on state officials and voters, as well as concerns about the involvement of organised crime in the election."[ citation needed ] It is also significant that gender equality issues were "nearly absent" from the campaign.[ citation needed ]
By the end of 2021, Kyrgyzstan's status according to the 'Freedom of the World Index' declined from 'Partly Free', to 'Not Free' as a result of "deeply flawed parliamentary elections [that] featured significant political violence and intimidation that culminated in the irregular seizure of power…". [17]
| Candidate | Party | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sadyr Japarov | Mekenchil | 1,105,248 | 79.83 | |
| Adakhan Madumarov | United Kyrgyzstan | 94,741 | 6.84 | |
| Babur Tolbayev | Independent | 32,979 | 2.38 | |
| Myktybek Arstanbek | Bir Bol | 23,583 | 1.70 | |
| Abdil Segizbaev | Independent | 20,335 | 1.47 | |
| Imamidin Tashov | Independent | 16,383 | 1.18 | |
| Klara Sooronkulova | Reform | 14,005 | 1.01 | |
| Aymen Kasenov | Independent | 12,684 | 0.92 | |
| Ulukbek Kochkorov | New Age | 9,397 | 0.68 | |
| Kanatbek Isaev | Kyrgyzstan | 8,038 | 0.58 | |
| Eldar Abakirov | Independent | 6,996 | 0.51 | |
| Baktybek Kalmamatov | Independent | 6,893 | 0.50 | |
| Kursan Asanov | Independent | 6,885 | 0.50 | |
| Ravshan Jeenbekov | Independent | 2,652 | 0.19 | |
| Kanybek Imanaliev | Ata-Meken | 2,490 | 0.18 | |
| Jenishbek Baiguttiev | Independent | 1,327 | 0.10 | |
| Arstanbek Abdyldayev | For the People | 1,157 | 0.08 | |
| Against all | 18,673 | 1.35 | ||
| Total | 1,384,466 | 100.00 | ||
| Valid votes | 1,384,466 | 99.21 | ||
| Invalid/blank votes | 11,047 | 0.79 | ||
| Total votes | 1,395,513 | 100.00 | ||
| Registered voters/turnout | 3,563,574 | 39.16 | ||
| Source: CEC, CEC | ||||
The history of the Kyrgyz people and the land now called Kyrgyzstan goes back more than 3,000 years. Although geographically isolated by its mountainous location, it had an important role as part of the historical Silk Road trade route. Turkic nomads, who trace their ancestry to many Turkic states such as the First and Second Turkic Khaganates, have inhabited the country throughout its history. In the 13th century, Kyrgyzstan was conquered by the Mongols; subsequently it regained independence but was invaded by Kalmyks, Manchus, and Uzbeks. In 1876, it became part of the Russian Empire, remaining in the USSR as the Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic after the Russian Revolution. Following Mikhael Gorbachev's democratic reforms in the USSR, in 1990 pro-independence candidate Askar Akayev was elected president of the SSR. On 31 August 1991, Kyrgyzstan declared independence from Moscow, and a democratic government was subsequently established.
The politics of Kyrgyzstan, officially known as the Kyrgyz Republic, takes place in the framework of a presidential system representative democratic republic, whereby the President is head of state and the Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers is head of government. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and parliament. The Economist Intelligence Unit rated Kyrgyzstan an "authoritarian regime" in 2022.
Kyrgyzstan elects on the national level a head of state – the president – and a legislature. The president is elected for a tenure of single six-year term by the people. The Supreme Council is composed of 120 members filled by proportional representation.
The president of Kyrgyzstan, officially the president of the Kyrgyz Republic, is the head of state and head of government of the Kyrgyz Republic. The president directs the executive branch of the national government, is the commander-in-chief of the Kyrgyz military and also heads the National Security Council.
Human rights in Kyrgyzstan improved after the ouster of President Askar Akayev in the 2005 Tulip Revolution and the installment of a more democratic government under Roza Otunbayeva. While the country is performing well compared to other states in Central Asia, many human rights violations still take place. While LGBT rights have been declining in recent years, freedom of press has been improving.
The Supreme Council of Kyrgyzstan, also known as the Jogorku Kenesh, is the unicameral parliament of Kyrgyzstan. Before Kyrgyzstan's independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, it was known as the Supreme Soviet of the Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic.
Sooronbay Sharip uulu Jeenbekov is a Kyrgyz politician who served as the fifth president of Kyrgyzstan from 2017 until his resignation in 2020, following a week of protests. Prior to that he served as the Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan from April 2016 to August 2017.
Presidential elections were held in Kyrgyzstan on 15 October 2017. Incumbent President Almazbek Atambayev was not allowed to run again because the constitution sets a single six-year term for the head of state. Eleven candidates registered for the race, and from this field Sooronbay Jeenbekov of the Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan won more than 50% of the vote, avoiding a runoff. Following certification of the results on 30 October, Jeenbekov was inaugurated as President of Kyrgyzstan on 24 November.
The Ala Archa State Residence is an official presidential residence in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. It is the current official home of President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov.
The Security Council of Kyrgyzstan is a political/constitutional body in the Office of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic. Its tasks are to consider internal and external threats to Kyrgyzstan and maintaining its security and defense. Being a purely advisory body, it aides the President in developing his/her decisions related to the Armed Forces of Kyrgyzstan and other law enforcement bodies. The security council was renamed in 2010 to the defense council and was reverted to its former name in March 2017. The Secretary is the head of the council, being a member of the Administration of the President. The current Secretary of the Security Council is Marat Imankulov.
Parliamentary elections were held in Kyrgyzstan on 4 October 2020. The results showed that pro-government parties had won a supermajority of seats. The election was subsequently annulled by the Central Election Commission during the 2020 Kyrgyzstan protests.
Events in the year 2020 in Kyrgyzstan.
The 2020 Kyrgyz Revolution, also known as the Third Kyrgyz Revolution, began on 5 October 2020, in response to the previous day's parliamentary election that was perceived by protestors as unfair, with allegations of electoral fraud. The results of the election were annulled on 6 October 2020. On 12 October 2020, President Jeenbekov announced a state of emergency in the capital city of Bishkek, which was approved by Parliament the following day. Jeenbekov resigned on 15 October 2020.
Sadyr Nurgojo uulu Japarov is a Kyrgyz politician who has been serving as the president of Kyrgyzstan since 28 January 2021. He previously held the post of acting prime minister of Kyrgyzstan in the 2020 interim government, following the resignation of President Sooronbay Jeenbekov. Japarov also became acting president of Kyrgyzstan after Jeenbekov's resignation, but resigned himself on 14 November 2020 to run for the 2021 presidential election, in which he was elected to succeed the acting president, Talant Mamytov.
Snap parliamentary elections were held in Kyrgyzstan on 28 November 2021. They followed the annulment of the results of the October 2020 elections and the subsequent protests against the election's conduct. Six parties passed the 5% threshold needed to win seats in the parliament. Turnout hit a record low at less than 35%.
The 2020 interim government of Kyrgyzstan is the 25th government of Kyrgyzstan that was formed during the 2020 Kyrgyzstan protests which resulted in opposition groups seizing government buildings during the aftermath of the first 2020 parliamentary election. Sadyr Japarov was nominated as the acting Prime Minister by the deputies on 10 October 2020 who was approved by President Sooronbay Jeenbekov on 14 October which resulted in formation of a cabinet. The following day on 15 October, Jeenbekov stepped down from his post which resulted in Japarov becoming the acting president. This marked the first time in Kyrgyz history that someone served as President and PM at the same time.
A referendum was held in Kyrgyzstan on 10 January 2021 alongside presidential elections. The referendum asked voters if Kyrgyzstan should adopt a presidential system of government, a parliamentary system, or neither. 84% of voters chose to readopt a presidential system.
A constitutional referendum was held in Kyrgyzstan on 11 April 2021. The new constitution was approved by 85% of voters.
Mekenchil, officially the "Patriot" Political Party, is a national-conservative political party in Kyrgyzstan, which was founded in 2010.
Temirlan Medetbekovich Sultanbekov is a Kyrgyz politician. He is the leader of the oldest and popular party Social Democrats in the Kyrgyz Republic, vice-president of the Socialist International.
| Presidential elections | |
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| Parliamentary elections | |
| Local elections | |
| Referendums | |
