2026 Kyrgyz parliamentary election

2026 Kyrgyz parliamentary election

←  2021 November 2026 2030 →

All 90 seats in the Supreme Council 46 seats needed for a majority

Party Leader Current seats Ata-Jurt Aybek Matkerimov 20 Mekenchil Kamchybek Tashiev 16 Ishenim Azamat Doroyev 12 Yntymak Chingiz Makeshov 9 Eldik Akylbek Tumonbayev 9 Alliance Mirlan Jeenchoroyev 8 Butun Kyrgyzstan Adakhan Madumarov 5 Yiman Nuru Nurzhigit Kadyrbekov 5 Social Democrats Temirlan Sultanbekov 1 Independents – 5 Incumbent Speaker of the Supreme Council Nurlanbek Turgunbek uulu Mekenchil

Parliamentary elections are due to be held in Kyrgyzstan in November 2026. ^[1]

Background

The Supreme Council, Kyrgyzstan's unicameral parliament, was elected in November 2021 in the aftermath of the annulled 2020 elections and the resignation of President Sooronbay Jeenbekov. The 2021 election was the first to be conducted under the constitutional changes adopted earlier that year, which introduced a more presidential form of government and reduced the role of parliament in national decision-making. The new legislature consisted of 90 deputies, chosen partly through proportional lists and partly in single-mandate constituencies, though its institutional authority was narrower than in previous convocations.

In mid-2024, the Kyrgyz government initiated a major administrative-territorial reform, redefining the boundaries of rural municipalities (aiyl aimaks) and cities, reorganizing local councils, and clarifying the competencies of local government bodies. Commentators noted that the reforms created a misalignment between the composition of parliament and the newly restructured administrative units.

Speculation about the possibility of early elections circulated throughout early 2025. In February, Speaker Nurlanbek Turgunbek uulu dismissed such rumors, stating that neither parliamentary nor presidential elections would be held ahead of schedule and that both would take place at their constitutionally prescribed times. ^{[2] [3]} In April 2025, parliament approved a constitutional change shifting the next presidential election to January 2027, thereby separating it from the parliamentary elections scheduled for November 2026. ^{[4] [5]} At that time, Kyrgyz officials such as Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Edil Baisalov, underlined that no early elections were being considered and that the legislative vote would take place in accordance with the established timetable. ^[6]

By September 2025, however, debate over the possible early dissolution of the Supreme Council had intensified. ^[7] Central Election Commission chairman Tynchynbek Shainazarov stated that the CEC was technically prepared to administer early elections should parliament adopt a decision on self-dissolution, emphasizing that the proximity of the 2026–2027 electoral cycle could create overlap and legal disputes. ^[8] In this context, political figures began to articulate differing positions. Alliance faction leader Janar Akayev announced his support, observing that the close timing of parliamentary and presidential elections would place excessive strain upon the electoral administration, and that the newly adopted electoral framework ought to be implemented without delay. ^[9] Other deputies, among them Cholpon Sultanbekova, likewise endorsed dissolution, characterizing it as a step taken "against ourselves" in the interest of state stability and in order to bring parliamentary representation into conformity with the revised law. ^[9] Surpeme Council Speaker Nurlanbek Turgunbek uulu confirmed receipt of the proposal signed by 32 deputies and noted that the reasoning contained therein was justified. ^[10] At the same time, critical voices were also present: Iskhak Masaliev argued that the initiative reflected influence from the presidential administration and that it risked undermining the independence of parliament. ^[9]

Electoral system

Under 2025 amendments to the electoral law, Kyrgyzstan replaced its previous mixed electoral system with a new majoritarian representation framework. The Supreme Council will continue to consist of 90 deputies, but they will now be elected from 30 multi-member district s, each returning three representatives by plurality voting. This change abolished the earlier arrangement of electing deputies partly through party-list proportional representation on a nationwide constituency and partly through single-member district s using first-past-the-post voting. ^{[11] [12]}

The reform was intended to simplify the voting process, harmonize parliamentary representation with ongoing administrative–territorial reforms, and reduce the disparity between deputies elected by party list s and those elected in electoral district s. Independent candidates may compete alongside party nominees, giving voters the option to choose either party-affiliated or non-party candidates within their district. ^[12]

References

1. "Next parliamentary elections in Kyrgyzstan to be held in November 2026". 24kg. 16 April 2025.
2. "ПАРЛАМЕНТ МӨӨНӨТҮНӨН МУРДА ТАРКАТЫЛАТ ДЕГЕН СӨЗДҮ ЖОГОРКУ КЕҢЕШТИН ТӨРАГАСЫ ТӨГҮНГӨ ЧЫГАРДЫ". Alackan (in Kyrgyz). 2025-02-20. Retrieved 2025-09-20.
3. Janob, Abdullo (2025-04-16). "Next parliamentary elections in Kyrgyzstan scheduled for 2026". Trend. Retrieved 2025-09-20.
4. "Kyrgyz presidential election scheduled for late Jan 2027". Interfax. 2025-04-16. Retrieved 2025-09-20.
5. Turgunbaeva, Aigerim (2025-04-16). "Kyrgyz leader Japarov gets parliament to reset election date". Reuters. Retrieved 2025-09-20.
6. "Эдиль Байсалов опроверг слухи о возможном роспуске Жогорку Кенеша (видео)". Kaktus Media (in Russian). 2025-06-02. Retrieved 2025-09-20.
7. Жогорку Кеңеш мөөнөтүнөн мурда таркайбы? (in Kyrgyz). 2025-09-01. Retrieved 2025-09-20– via www.azattyk.org.
8. "Шайназаров ЖК таркаса БШК мөөнөтүнөн мурда шайлоону өткөрүүгө даяр экенин айтты". Азаттык Υналгысы (in Kyrgyz). 2025-09-02. Retrieved 2025-09-20.
9. Кызы, Элеонора Бейшенбек (2025-09-17). ""Өзүбүздү садага чаап жатабыз". Парламентти таркатууга 32 депутаттан кол чогулду". Азаттык Υналгысы (in Kyrgyz). Retrieved 2025-09-20.
10. "Жогорку Кеңешти таратууну демилгелеген депутаттардын тизмеси жарыял". Serep (in Kongo). 2025-09-16. Retrieved 2025-09-21.
11. "Kyrgyzstan switching to majoritarian representation system in parliamentary elections - law". Interfax. Interfax Information Group. 2025-06-09. Retrieved 2025-09-21.
12. Pannier, Bruce (2025-06-12). "Back to the Old System for Kyrgyzstan's Future Parliamentary Elections". The Times Of Central Asia. Retrieved 2025-09-21.