Kyrgyzstan's questionable electoral reform

A proposal to modify the voting regulations is causing controversy in Bishkek. It would impose registration fees three times higher than the current ones on aspiring members of parliament in order to be able to present their candidacy. ‘Only the rich will be able to stand for election’.

Bishkek (AsiaNews) - A 42-year-old blind member of the Zhogorku Kenesh, the parliament of Kyrgyzstan, Dastan Bekešev, founder of the Ak-Niet political party, has criticised the proposed constitutional reform currently under discussion ‘On the election of the president and deputies’, stating that ’ with this reform only the rich will be able to stand for election’. In fact, it is proposed to raise the fee for independent candidates from 100 thousand to 300 thousand som (over 3 thousand euros ed.).

As Bekešev, who has always been involved in many social support activities for the disabled and the less well-off, explains, in this way ‘teachers, firemen and doctors will not be able to participate in the electoral competition’.

According to the bill, approved at first reading and still to be confirmed, 30 electoral districts will be established throughout the country, in each of which three deputies will be elected, two men and one woman, so that at least 30 of the 90 seats will be reserved for women. If a woman wins first or second place in her constituency by a large majority, then the number available to female candidates increases, and each voter will be able to vote for only one candidate.

Registration fees will be increased not only for independents, but also for candidates presented by parties, and each party will have to pay between 1 and 9 million som (about 100 thousand euros). Only after payment will the candidates be registered by the central electoral commission, and these sums will not be returned to the parties or to the individual candidates. The total electoral fund for independent candidates will be increased to 20 million som, and to 300 million for parties; each candidate may register between 500 and 1000 people on the list of supporters during the election campaign.

There are no provisions for by-elections in the event that MPs renounce their mandate, and the seat will be assigned to the next candidate according to the votes received in the electoral district.

The project was presented by the president of Žogorku Keneš himself, Nurlanbek Turgunbek uulu, and supported by his deputy Nurbek Sydygaliev together with 9 other MPs from different parties.

The authors of the text claim that its approval will lead to a considerable reduction in corruption in Kyrgyzstan's political life, but many MPs, as well as Bekešev, are convinced of the contrary because of the fees that offer opportunities for corruption, and in any case limit the right of ordinary citizens to stand for state political office.

• Kyrgyzstan
• Bishkek
• elections