Kyrgyzstan's newly elected parliament convened on Wednesday for the first time following the snap elections held on November 30, which solidified the authority of President Sadyr Zhaparov. These elections have been marked by increased repression of dissent in a nation that was once viewed as Central Asia's most democratic.
The results from the recent elections revealed that no opposition candidates were elected to the Jogorku Kenesh, Kyrgyzstan's one-chamber parliament, despite hundreds of candidates competing for its 90 available seats. Among these, a total of 87 lawmakers were chosen under a new electoral system, where 30 constituencies each elect three representatives individually rather than through party tickets. Due to documented violations, results in one constituency were annulled, prompting plans for a new election to fill the three vacant seats.
This election was held a year ahead of schedule, with officials claiming the delay could have conflicted with the upcoming presidential elections slated for 2027. Voter turnout was low, reported at 36.9%, indicating a lack of public engagement or confidence in the electoral process, as per the Kyrgyz Central Election Commission.
Despite the election being described by observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe as organized efficiently, they noted that while fundamental freedoms are formally enshrined in the constitution, these freedoms are increasingly curtailed in practice. The week leading up to the election saw Kyrgyz authorities launch a series of arrests, searches, and interrogations of opposition figures and journalists, actions that many critics denounced as politically driven.
Numerous individuals targeted by these actions have faced accusations of inciting “mass unrest.” The Ministry of Internal Affairs reported the apprehension of at least 10 opposition figures in the lead-up to the elections, highlighting the political climate leading to the vote.
Some of the individuals targeted were allies of former President Almazbek Atambayev, who governed from 2011 to 2017 and now resides in Spain. Notably, Atambayev's son has been detained and his wife summoned for questioning, further illustrating the political tensions within the country.
During his address to the newly elected parliament, President Zhaparov criticized opposition parties and previous administrations while extolling the merits of the new electoral system. He stated, "The root of all the problems hindering the country’s development has always been opaque parliamentary elections, corruption, and the practice of coming to power through connections. Most importantly, we can say that political corruption has been eradicated under the new system."
Political analysts characterized the election as "boring and predictable." Emil Juraev, an independent analyst in Bishkek, noted that the newly formed parliament predominantly consists of lawmakers who either support or refrain from criticizing the president's policies. He suggested that this parliamentary election served as a “dress rehearsal” for the upcoming presidential contest, stressing the necessity of a stable parliament for the confidence of future electoral processes.
