Kyrgyz parliamentary elections, 2007

Kyrgyz parliamentary elections, 2007

Early parliamentary elections were held in Kyrgyzstan on 16 December 2007. The election was called by President Kurmanbek Bakiyev after the constitutional referendum on 21 October 2007 approved a new electoral system and constitutional reform proposals, enlarging the parliament to 90 MPs and introducing party-list voting. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7058557.stm "'Many violations' in Kyrgyz vote"] , BBC News, 23 October 2007.]

Twenty-two parties filed to run in the election, but some reconsidered and six were rejected by the authorities, including Taza Koom ("Clean Society"). Thus the following parties contested the election: [Bruce Pannier, [http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2007/11/0bc681d7-cf40-458c-9bf6-059cda42f78d.html "Kyrgyzstan: Field Narrowed Ahead Of Campaigning For National Elections"] , Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 26 November 2007.]

* Ata-Menken Socialist Party ("Fatherland Socialist Party")
* Party of Communists of Kyrgyzstan
* Ar-Namys ("Dignity")
* Aalam ("Universe", party of independent people)
* Erkindik ("Freedom")
* Asaba ("Flag")
* Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan
* Jangy Kuech ("New Force", party of women and youth of Kyrgyzstan)
* Ak-Zhol or Ak-Zhol Eldik Partiyasy ("Bright Path Popular Party")
* Erkin Kyrgyzstan ("Free Kyrgyzstan")
* El Dobushu ("People's Voice")
* Turan Fact|date=December 2007

On 28 November 2007, Prime Minister Almazbek Atambayev from the Social Democratic Party resigned and Iskenderbek Aidaraliyev became Acting Prime Minister until the election; the resignation was reportedly over differences between Atayev and Bakiyev. [ [http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-11/28/content_7161658.htm "Spokesman: Kyrgyz president accepts resignation of PM"] , Xinhua, 28 November 2007.]

To enter parliament, a party had to pass two thresholds:
* Obtain at least 5% of the vote nation-wide
* Obtain at least 13,500 in each of the country's seven regions and its two cities (Bishkek and Osh)

Results

According to preliminary results based on 81% of the polling stations, turnout was over 60%, but no party apart from Ak-Zhol had managed to pass both thresholds. Ak-Zhol reportedly received 47.8% of the vote. Ata-Menken received 9.3% of the vote nationwide, but failed the regional thresholds in three regions. Ak-Zhol therefore appeared to be the only party to enter parliament. International monitors from the OSCE heavily criticised the election. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7147395.stm "Kyrgyz leader's poll win criticised"] , BBC News, 17 December 2007.] Monitors from the CIS, however, claimed the election met democratic standards. [ [http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2007/12/f95b7fe1-e515-4638-9da5-1986081a1fee.html "Kyrgyzstan: Amid Protests, Ruling Party Seen Winning Elections In Landslide"] , Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 17 December 2007.] Later results showed that two other parties, the Social Democratic Party and the Communist Party, narrowly managed to pass the national threshold.

The Supreme Court overturned the second, regional threshold two days after the vote (thus potentially broadening parliamentary representation from three to four different parties). [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7149733.stm "Kyrgyz court revokes poll ruling"] , BBC News, 18 December 2007.] Final results are expected to be announced on by the end of December. [Bruce Pannier, [http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2007/12/a9489386-4983-4df8-8e62-4646b045e30e.html "Kyrgyzstan: Election Hurdle Still Standing Despite Court Ruling"] , Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 18 December 2007.]

According to the central electoral commission, Ak-Zhol received 71 seats, the Social Democratic Party received 11 seats and the Communist Party received 8 seats. It is unclear whether the CEC is ignoring or reinterpreting the Supreme Court ruling which would entitle the Ata-Menken party to seats despite failing to win at least 0.5% of the vote in all seven regions and two cities. The newly elected parliament convened on 21 December 2007 for the first time [Natalia Antelava, [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7155660.stm "Kyrgyz MPs meet amid controversy"] , BBC News, 21 December 2007.] and will have to confirm a new government before 1 January 2008. [Bruce Pannier, [http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2007/12/350d7bea-4dcc-41ae-ad09-4de3d56f74ac.html "Kyrgyzstan: Opposition Mounts Rallies, Hunger Strikes Over Vote Results"] , Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 20 December 2007.]

According to officials, Ate-Menken failed to gain the necessary votes in Osh, yet party activists claimed to have proof of having attained more than the necessary votes. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7153479.stm "Kyrgyz opposition wins no seats"] , BBC News, 20 December 2007.]

References


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