On Tuesday, Kyrgyzstan’s Central Election Commission (CEC) declared the results of the country’s parliamentary election, which were announced over the weekend, as null and invalid as violent mass protests held overnight marred the capital, Bishkek. Nurzhan Shaildabekova, head of the CEC, told reporters that the decision was made to “avoid tension” in the Central Asian country.
The night of demonstrations saw protestors storming official government buildings, including the Kyrgyz White House, as well as the release of high-profile leaders, such as former President Almazbek Atambayev and legislator Sadyr Japarov, from prison. The demonstrators were demanding a new vote to be held, claiming vote-rigging since four parties close to pro-Russia President Sooronbai Jeenbekov had swept the election. Jeenbekov had also accused“political forces” of trying to seize power illegally. Klara Sooronkulova, leader of the opposition Reforma party, said, “We all have witnessed a true lawlessness during the election campaign and the Election Day yesterday... Pressure on the voters, intimidation of the voters, bribing.”
As the protestors clashed with the police, around 600 people were injured, and one person died. State security forces resorted to using tear gas, water cannons, and flashbang grenades to disperse the crowds. Following the violence, Aziz Surakmatov, mayor of Bishkek, resigned along with the governors of Talas, Naryn, and Issyk-Kul. While the President’s press secretary said that Jeenbekov is still in charge, Prime Minister Kubatbek Boronov and parliament speaker Dastan Jumabekov also presented their letters of resignation on Tuesday. Japarov, a founding member of the losing opposition party Mekenchil, who was serving an 11.5-year prison sentence for holding a regional governor hostage in 2013, has now been elected by the parliament as the acting Prime Minister.
On Monday, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)’s election-monitoring wing also reported that while “fundamental rights and freedoms were overall respected” in this year’s election, “credible allegations of vote-buying” in Kyrgyzstan “remain a serious concern.” The country has a documented history of political turmoil and popular uprisings, with two Presidents being ousted in violent revolutions in 2005 and 2010. After nearly a decade of relative political stability, citizens are now revolting against Jeenbekov’s administration over its rampant corruption and the domination of political discourse by powerful elite groups.
Catherine Putz, the managing editor of The Diplomat, opined that as news keeps pouring in from Bishkek, the future is likely to see one of two scenarios: either Jeenbekov will be able to “ride out the parliamentary storm”, or will face impeachment and will possibly seek asylum in Moscow.
Kyrgyzstan Cancels Election Results After Violent Protests
The Prime Minister, parliament speaker, and several mayors and governors have stepped down from their posts as demonstrators seized control over government buildings.
October 7, 2020
A large crowd protesting the election result in Bishkek on Monday. SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS