2009 Kyrgyz presidential election

Candidates

On 20 April 2009, the United Opposition 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 Sariyev.

Bakiyev'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 stuffing and problems with the vote counting.

An opposition rally of 1,000 people in Balykchy during election day was broken up by riot police.

Results

As of 22:00 on 26 July 2009 (with 2,282 of 2,330 polling districts reporting), Bakiev was reported had won the election with 78% 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 Bakiyev had won with 82.62% of the vote.

The day after the election the opposition said it planned to hold more protests.

References

References

1. [http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90851/6618838.html Kyrgyzstan to hold presidential election on July 23]. ''[[People's Daily]]''. 20 March 2009.
2. link. (2016-03-04 . ''[[Taiwan News]]''.)
3. [http://www.rferl.org/content/Kyrgyzstan_Nominates_President_For_Reelection/1619653.html Kyrgyzstan Nominates President For Reelection]. [[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]]. 1 May 2009.
4. Panner, Bruce (20 April 2009). [http://www.rferl.org/content/Kyrgyz_Opposition_Unveils_Presidential_Hopeful/1612338.html Kyrgyz Opposition Unveils Presidential Hopeful]. [[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]].
5. [http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90851/6661313.html 18 candidates registered for Kyrgyz presidential election]. ''[[People's Daily]]''. 20 May 2009.
6. [http://www.rferl.org/content/Kyrgyz_Opposition_Leader_Quits_Presidential_Race/1735197.html Kyrgyz Opposition Leader Quits Presidential Race]. [[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]]. 19 May 2009.
7. [http://www.rferl.org/content/Lone_Woman_Approved_For_Kyrgyz_Presidential_Bid/1756281.html Lone Woman Approved For Kyrgyz Presidential Bid]. [[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]]. 17 June 2009.
8. [https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8164277.stm Kyrgyz candidate in poll pullout], [[BBC News]] (23 July 2009)
9. [http://www.osce.org/item/39014.html Kyrgyz presidential election failed to meet key OSCE commitments], [[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe]] press release (24 July 2009)
10. (2009-07-26). "Выборы Президента Кыргызской Республики".
11. (2009-07-25). "По предварительным данным ЦИК, за К.Бакиева проголосовало 82,62%". АКИpress.
12. (2009-07-24). "Kyrgyz opposition rejects Bakiyev landslide". [[Reuters]].