2009 Kyrgyz presidential election
 | |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
| Turnout | 79.20% | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
 |
|---|
|
|
| Constitution |
Presidential elections were held inKyrgyzstanon 23 July 2009. The date was set after the constitutional court ruled that the extension of the presidential term from four to five years did not apply until the next presidential election, calling for elections by 25 October 2009; in response, a parliament committee proposed the July election date, which was then passed by the incumbent presidentKurmanbek Bakiyev'sAk Jol-dominated parliament.[1]Bakiyev had previously announced his intention to run for reelection.[2]Bakiyev was re-nominated on 1 May 2009.[3]
On election day the main opposition candidate,Almazbek Atambayev,withdrew from the contest, citing his belief that fraud was employed extensively and thus considers the election illegitimate. TheOrganization for Security and Co-operation in Europe(OSCE) also claimed that Bakiyev had unfair advantages in terms of superior media coverage of his campaign, and vote rigging. Eventually, Bakiyev was declared the winner of the election with 76% of the vote. An opposition rally on election day was broken up by Kyrgyz police.
Candidates[edit]
On 20 April 2009, theUnited Oppositionannounced its candidate –Almazbek Atambayev,the leader of theSocial Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan,the only opposition party represented in parliament.[4]Another opposition politician, former defence ministerIsmail Isakov,announced on 19 May 2009 that he would withdraw from the race to improve Atambayev's chances, reducing the field from 18[5]to 17 potential candidates.[6]
Apart from Bakiyev and Atambayev, three more candidacies were approved: Those ofToktayym Ümötalieva(chairwoman of the Association of Nongovernmental and Nonprofit Organizations), physicianJengishbek NazaralievandTemir Sariyev.[7]
Bakiyev's advertising campaign consisted primarily of television ads, billboards, and paper fliers in windows of stores, companies, and kiosks. Nazaraliev's advertising campaign consisted mainly of propaganda fliers and journals passed out to residences in Kyrgyzstan, as well as small paper advertisements stuck to walls and posts throughout Bishkek. Atambaev held rallies and also had paper advertisements posted. Motuev had at least one billboard, near ZUM.
Election day[edit]
On polling day Atambayev withdrew his candidacy claiming widespread fraud; he stated: "Due to massive, unprecedented violations, we consider these elections illegitimate and a new election should be held."[8]Independent candidateJenishbek Nazaralievalso withdrew on election day.[citation needed]The OSCE stated that Bakiyev gained an "unfair advantage" and that the media bias "did not allow voters to make an informed choice." Additionally, they found that the election was "marred by many problems and irregularities", citingballot stuffingand problems with the vote counting.[9]
An opposition rally of 1,000 people inBalykchyduring election day was broken up by riot police.[8]
Results[edit]
As of 22:00 on 26 July 2009 (with 2,282 of 2,330 polling districts reporting), Bakiev was reported had won the election with 77.81% of the vote.[10]Earlier in the day (00:40 local time), the results showed the same number of districts reporting, but the numbers were significantly different, showing that Bakiyev had won with 82.62% of the vote.[11]
The day after the election the opposition said it planned to hold more protests.[12]
| Candidate | Party | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kurmanbek Bakiyev | Ak Jol | 1,779,417 | 77.44 | |
| Almaz Atambaev | Social Democratic Party | 195,291 | 8.50 | |
| Temir Sariyev | Akshumkar | 149,658 | 6.51 | |
| Toktayym Ümötalieva | Independent | 25,096 | 1.09 | |
| Nurlan Motuev | Joomart | 21,754 | 0.95 | |
| Jengishbek Nazaraliev | Independent | 19,198 | 0.84 | |
| Against all | 107,317 | 4.67 | ||
| Total | 2,297,731 | 100.00 | ||
| Valid votes | 2,297,731 | 98.70 | ||
| Invalid/blank votes | 30,338 | 1.30 | ||
| Total votes | 2,328,069 | 100.00 | ||
| Registered voters/turnout | 2,939,413 | 79.20 | ||
| Source:OCSE,Ministry of Justice | ||||
References[edit]
- ^Kyrgyzstan to hold presidential election on July 23.People's Daily.March 20, 2009.
- ^Saralayeva, Leila (March 19, 2009).Kyrgyz set for presidential poll in JulyArchived2016-03-04 at theWayback Machine.Taiwan News.
- ^Kyrgyzstan Nominates President For Reelection.Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.May 1, 2009.
- ^Panner, Bruce (April 20, 2009).Kyrgyz Opposition Unveils Presidential Hopeful.Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
- ^18 candidates registered for Kyrgyz presidential election.People's Daily.May 20, 2009.
- ^Kyrgyz Opposition Leader Quits Presidential Race.Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.May 19, 2009.
- ^Lone Woman Approved For Kyrgyz Presidential Bid.Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.June 17, 2009.
- ^abKyrgyz candidate in poll pullout,BBC News(July 23, 2009)
- ^Kyrgyz presidential election failed to meet key OSCE commitments,Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europepress release (July 24, 2009)
- ^"Выборы Президента Кыргызской Республики".2009-07-26. Archived fromthe originalon 2011-07-22.Retrieved2009-07-26.
- ^"По предварительным данным ЦИК, за К.Бакиева проголосовало 82,62%".АКИpress. 2009-07-25.Retrieved2009-07-26.
- ^"Kyrgyz opposition rejects Bakiyev landslide".Reuters.2009-07-24.Retrieved2009-07-24.
External links[edit]
| Presidential elections | |
|---|---|
| Parliamentary elections | |
| Local elections | |
| Referendums | |
