Kyrgyzstani presidential election, 2009
Encyclopedia
A presidential election was held in Kyrgyzstan
on 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 president Kurmanbek Bakiyev
's Ak Jol-dominated parliament. Bakiyev had previously announced his intention to run for reelection. Bakiyev was renominated on 1 May 2009.
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. The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
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 around 78% of the vote. An opposition rally on election day was broken up by Kyrgyz police, and Atambayev has said that more opposition protests have been planned.
announced its candidate – Almazbek Atambayev
, the leader of the Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan
, the only opposition party represented in parliament. Another opposition politician, former defence minister Ismail Isakov
, announced on 19 May 2009 that he would withdraw from the race to improve Atambayev's chances, reducing the field from 18 to 17 potential candidates.
Apart from Bakiyev and Atambayev, three more candidacies were approved: Those of Toktayym Ümötalieva
(chairwoman of the Association of Nongovernmental and Nonprofit Organizations), physician Jengishbek Nazaraliev
and Temir Sariev
.
Bakiev'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.
and problems with the vote counting.
An opposition rally of 1,000 people in Balykchy
during election day was broken up by riot police.
The day after the election the opposition has said it has planned more protests.
Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan , officially the Kyrgyz Republic is one of the world's six independent Turkic states . Located in Central Asia, landlocked and mountainous, Kyrgyzstan is bordered by Kazakhstan to the north, Uzbekistan to the west, Tajikistan to the southwest and China to the east...
on 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 president Kurmanbek Bakiyev
Kurmanbek Bakiyev
Kurmanbek Saliyevich Bakiyev is a politician who served as the second President of Kyrgyzstan, from 2005 to 2010...
's Ak Jol-dominated parliament. Bakiyev had previously announced his intention to run for reelection. Bakiyev was renominated on 1 May 2009.
On election day the main opposition candidate, Almazbek Atambayev
Almazbek Atambayev
Almazbek Sharshenovich Atambayev is the President of Kyrgyzstan since 1 December 2011. He previously was Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan from 17 December 2010 to 1 December 2011, having also been Prime Minister from 29 March 2007 until 28 November 2007...
, withdrew from the contest, citing his belief that fraud was employed extensively and thus considers the election illegitimate. The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe is the world's largest security-oriented intergovernmental organization. Its mandate includes issues such as arms control, human rights, freedom of the press and fair elections...
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 around 78% of the vote. An opposition rally on election day was broken up by Kyrgyz police, and Atambayev has said that more opposition protests have been planned.
Candidates
On 20 April 2009, the United OppositionUnited People's Movement (Kyrgyzstan)
United People's Movement is a coalition currently active in Kyrgyzstan. The coalition was formed in December, 2008 as an umbrella group representing various factions in opposition to Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, and includes parties such as Ata Meken, Ak Shumkar, Asaba and Jany Kyrgyzstan,...
announced its candidate – Almazbek Atambayev
Almazbek Atambayev
Almazbek Sharshenovich Atambayev is the President of Kyrgyzstan since 1 December 2011. He previously was Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan from 17 December 2010 to 1 December 2011, having also been Prime Minister from 29 March 2007 until 28 November 2007...
, the leader of the Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan
Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan
Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan is a political party in Kyrgyzstan. Members formed the party on 1 October 1993, but did not register with the Justice Ministry until 16 December 1994...
, the only opposition party represented in parliament. Another opposition politician, former defence minister Ismail Isakov
Ismail Isakov
Ismail Isakovich Isakov is a Kyrgyzstan politician and Lieutenant General in the Kyrgyz military force.From March 26, 2005 he was made Acting Minister of Defense, and appointed Minister of Defense in September 2005, serving until May 26, 2008, when he was made Secretary of the Security Council of...
, announced on 19 May 2009 that he would withdraw from the race to improve Atambayev's chances, reducing the field from 18 to 17 potential candidates.
Apart from Bakiyev and Atambayev, three more candidacies were approved: Those of Toktayym Ümötalieva
Toktayym Ümötalieva
Toktayym Ümötalieva is a Kyrgyz physicist and politician. She was the only female candidate for the 2005 and 2009 Kyrgyzstani presidential elections, receiving 26,640 votes ....
(chairwoman of the Association of Nongovernmental and Nonprofit Organizations), physician Jengishbek Nazaraliev
Jengishbek Nazaraliev
Jengishbek Nazaraliev is a drug rehabilitation professional and politician in Kyrgyzstan. He ran for presidency in the presidential election of 2009, but withrdew from the election on election day claiming irregularities in the voting process.- Life :...
and Temir Sariev
Temir Sariev
Temir Sariyev is a Kyrgyz politician. He was a presidential candidate for the 2009 elections, receiving 157,005 votes.-References:...
.
Bakiev'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
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." Independent candidate Jenishbek Nazaraliev also withdrew on election day. 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", citing ballot stuffingBallot stuffing
Ballot stuffing is the illegal act of one person submitting multiple ballots during a vote in which only one ballot per person is permitted. The name originates from the earliest days of this practice in which people literally did stuff more than one ballot in a ballot box at the same time...
and problems with the vote counting.
An opposition rally of 1,000 people in Balykchy
Balykchy
Balykchy is a town with a population about 40,000 people located at the western end of Lake Issyk-Kul in Kyrgyzstan, at and an elevation of about 1,900 metres...
during election day was broken up by riot police.
Results
The election turnout was reported at 79.3%. As of 22:00 local time in Kyrgyzstan on 26 July, 2009 (with 2,282 of 2,330 polling districts reporting), Bakiev had won the election with 77.81% of the vote. 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 Bakiev had won with 82.62% of the vote.The day after the election the opposition has said it has planned more protests.