Kyrgyzstan: Election Declared Null and Void After Protests Against Rigging

Authorities in Kyrgyzstan have annulled Sunday’s election results following protests against rigging. The date of the new election is expected to be announced by the Election Commission in the next two weeks.

Earlier, in the capital, Bishkek, thousands of people marched against President Sooronbai Jeenbekov and seized other government buildings, including parliament.

According to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, there are credible allegations of vote-buying in the election.

According to a report by Reuters news agency, the president of Kyrgyzstan, a major Central Asian country,  Sooronbai Jeenbekov, said that the country was facing attempts to seize power.

Kyrgyzstan also has the influence of world powers, with Russia’s airbase and Canada’s largest gold mine.

President Sooronbai Jeenbekov instructed security forces not to fire on protesters.

One civilian had been killed and 590 injured in the violent protests, while government officials said re-elections would be held but it was not clear who would be subordinated.

During the post-election protests, cars were set on fire in the capital, Bishkek, and a government building known as the White House was stormed.

A minor fire broke out in the building but was brought under control with the timely efforts of the emergency department while government papers, furniture and other items were thrown out from inside the building.

Russia’s closest ally, Kyrgyzstan, shares a border with China and has a history of intense political tensions, with protests overthrowing the governments of two presidents over the past 15 years.

Kyrgyzstan has also been a platform for global competition between Moscow, Washington and Beijing.

Regarding the protest, the opposition said that a liaison council has been formed and discussions are underway for an interim government.

Opposition parties have stated they will not run in the by-elections but will seek to restore order.

Opposition parties have stated they will not run in the by-election but will seek to restore order

The united opposition has also released former President Almazbek Atambayev, who was jailed on corruption charges, but his role has not been discussed, while the current president has given no immediate sign of leaving the government.

The cabinet meeting was not held at the White House but was held in another building, after which it was said that it would continue its work, but Prime Minister did not appear in public after the protests began.

Kyrgyzstan’s Central Election Commission says election results have been cancelled, meaning the country will hold new elections soon.

Parliament said an emergency meeting would be convened tomorrow if the quorum was not met, while several opposition leaders called for the formation of an interim cabinet to legalize the transfer of power.

Parliament Speaker resigned after protesting against the election results and vandalizing a government building.

Violent protests in Kyrgyzstan erupted yesterday when police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters demanding the annulment of the election results.

Western observers say most of the seats in the election have been given to two Establishment parties that have close ties to the former Soviet Union and Russia, and have been accused of buying votes.

According to the report, the protesters stormed the White House, which houses the presidency, and then occupied several other government buildings, including the mayor’s office.

The demonstrators appointed a self-proclaimed head of national security, acting prosecutor general and commander of Bishkek, but it is unclear how much power they have.

Opposition groups called for the release of several former presidents, including former Prime Minister Sapar Isakov and former Chief of Staff Farid Niyazov.

According to local media, governors of several provinces have also resigned.