2021 Kyrgyz presidential election

Snap presidential elections were held in Kyrgyzstan on 10 January 2021,[1][2] alongside a constitutional referendum. The elections were called early following the resignation of President Sooronbay Jeenbekov in the wake of the 2020 Kyrgyzstani protests.

2021 Kyrgyz presidential election

10 January 2021
Turnout	39.16% ( 17.16pp)
Nominee Sadyr Japarov Adakhan Madumarov Party Mekenchil BK Popular vote 1,105,248 94,741 Percentage 79.20% 6.79%
President before election Talant Mamytov (acting) Respublika Elected President Sadyr Japarov Mekenchil

Background

On 24 October 2020, the Central Electoral Commission of Kyrgyzstan (BShK) announced that an early presidential election would be held on 10 January 2021. The announcement of the early election occurred after several weeks of public protests and political chaos which caused the resignation of President Sooronbai Jeenbekov. The upheaval followed accusations of election corruption occurring in the 2020 Kyrgyz parliamentary election which was held on 4 October 2020 and was subsequently annulled by the Central Electoral Commission.[2][3]

Electoral system

The elections were held using the two-round system, where if no candidate received a majority in the first round, a second would be held between the top two finishers.[4] Under the 2010 constitution, the presidential term is six years. Re-election is not permitted.[5]

In order to register, applicants had until 4 December 2020 to gather 30,000 signatures in support of their candidacy and pay a ballot access fee of KGS 1,000,000 (US$11,830).[6]

Results

As of 14 November 2020, 63 individuals had filed applications to run for the office. On 4 December, the Central Committee on Elections announced the final list of 19 approved candidates.[7]

All candidates officially ran as independents, although some were supported by their respective political parties. Sadyr Japarov won the election handily, receiving nearly 80% of the vote. A total of 10,851 ballots returned were invalid, in addition to 196 which were retrieved from invalid portable ballot boxes. Turnout was 39.16%.

Candidate		Party	Votes	%
	Sadyr Japarov	Mekenchil	1,105,248	79.83
	Adakhan Madumarov	United Kyrgyzstan	94,741	6.84
	Babur Tolbayev	Independent	32,979	2.38
	Myktybek Arstanbek	Bir Bol	23,583	1.70
	Abdil Segizbaev	Independent	20,335	1.47
	Imamidin Tashov	Independent	16,383	1.18
	Klara Sooronkulova	Reform	14,005	1.01
	Aymen Kasenov	Independent	12,684	0.92
	Ulukbek Kochkorov	New Age	9,397	0.68
	Kanatbek Isaev	Kyrgyzstan	8,038	0.58
	Eldar Abakirov	Independent	6,996	0.51
	Baktybek Kalmamatov	Independent	6,893	0.50
	Kursan Asanov	Independent	6,885	0.50
	Ravshan Jeenbekov	Independent	2,652	0.19
	Kanybek Imanaliev	Ata-Meken	2,490	0.18
	Jenishbek Baiguttiev	Independent	1,327	0.10
	Arstanbek Abdyldayev	For the People	1,157	0.08
Against all			18,673	1.35
Total			1,384,466	100.00
Valid votes			1,384,466	99.21
Invalid/blank votes			11,047	0.79
Total votes			1,395,513	100.00
Registered voters/turnout			3,563,574	39.16
Source: CEC, CEC

See also

• List of leaders of Kyrgyzstan
• President of Kyrgyzstan
• Vice President of Kyrgyzstan

References

1. "IFES Election Guide". International Foundation for Electoral Systems. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
2. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Kyrgyz Service (24 October 2020). "Kyrgyzstan Schedules Early Presidential Election For January 10". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
3. Catherine Putz (2 November 2020). "New Election Dates and Challenges for Kyrgyzstan". The Diplomat. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
4. Kyrgyzstan IFES
5. Factbox: Key political risks to watch in Kyrgyzstan Reuters, 1 October 2010.
6. "63 individuals apply for presidential elections in Kyrgyzstan". TASS. 14 November 2020. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
7. "Шайлоо өнөктүгүнүн кезектеги этабы аяктады – КР Президентинин кызмат ордуна талапкерлер кол коюу барактарын тапшырышты жана шайлоо күрөөсүн төлөштү - КР БШК". Кыргыз Республикасынын шайлоо жана референдум өткөрүү боюнча борбордук комиссиясы (in Kyrgyz). 4 December 2020. Retrieved 6 December 2020.

External links

• Government of Kyrgyzstan official site