Kyrgyzstan holds long-awaited parliamentary elections
By Aynur Karimova
Kyrgyzstan finally held long-awaited elections for its supreme legislative body, the Jogorku Kenesh on October 4.
Some 14 political parties -- the Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan, Ata Meken, Bir Bol, Ar-Namys, Onuguu-Progress, Azattyk, Respublika-Ata Jurt, Butun Kyrgyzstan-Emgek, Zamandash, Uluu Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan, Meken Yntymagy, People's Congress of Kyrgyzstan, Aalam Party of the Unaffiliated -- competed for seats in the 120-member parliament.
The Central Election Commission of the country created 2,374 domestic polling stations throughout Kyrgyzstan to collect the votes of the 2,761,270 registered voters in the country. More than 500 international observers monitored the elections process.
Kyrgyzstan’s Central Electoral Commission has already announced preliminary results. According to data released by CEC Chairman Tuigunaaly Abdraimov voter turnout was at 60 percent, which included some 1.5 million people.
"We have not yet received the results from 50-60 polling stations," he said. "In addition, there are no results from voting from abroad."
According to preliminary results, the new parliament will be formed by six parties -- the Social-Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan, Respublika-Ata-Jurt, Kyrgyzstan, Onuguu-Progress, Bir Bol and Ata Meken -- while the remaining eight parties could not overcome the 7-percent threshold.
The official results of the election will be announced before October 25.
Kyrgyzstan not to change pro-Russia course
Bruce Pannier, an expert on Central Asia and Senior Correspondent at Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, believes that whoever gets seats in the next parliament, Kyrgyzstan will not alter its position with Russia.
“Russia is considered a valued partner in Kyrgyzstan and Kyrgyzstan’s entry into the Eurasian Economic Union in August brought Kyrgyzstan even closer to Russia,” he told Trend.
The last parliamentary election in Kyrgyzstan was held on October 10, 2010.
--
Aynur Karimova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Aynur_Karimova
Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz