Unanimous victory for the outgoing President Kurmanbek Bakiyev
Atambayev yesterday contested the vote, declaring it “rigged”. Today, after the initial results, he reiterated that “Bakiyev has lost the elections. Kyrgyzstan is without a legitimate president ... this election is stolen. We will present proof of fraud. "
The Election Commission has ruled out having evidence of fraud. The situation in the country is calm, following yesterday's clashes that took place in Balykchi between 1,000 followers of Atambayev and the police who charged them firing in the air. Atambayev has announced protest demonstrations. The vote was also overseen by envoys from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
Bakiyev’s confirmation is being hailed by all as a sign of stability and does not displease international powers such as the United States and Russia either, who have important military bases there. The Manas base is the only remaining U.S. one in the region and is important for operations in Afghanistan.
But experts also point out that in the medium term radical changes will be required, because the country's democratic institutions remain weak, corruption is endemic and organized crime is present at the highest levels of government. Among experts there is widespread concern that Bakiyev can and should make such changes and is able to improve the stagnant economic situation. Circumstances which, together with the continuous infiltration of Islamic radicals from Pakistan and Afghanistan, also add to a high risk of violent upheaval in the country. In recent weeks in the Ferghana Valley, on the border with Afghanistan, there were armed clashes between the army and militant groups, which many believe to be Islamic extremists.
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20/04/2007
