Preliminary results of Kyrgyz presidential elections announced

By Azernews

By Kamila Aliyeva

Kyrgyz Central Election Committee announced the preliminary results of the presidential elections held on October 15.

Sooronbai Jeenbekov, an ex-premier of the republic and political ally of incumbent President Almazbek Atambaev, has won more than 54 percent of the vote.

It became known after the data from 97 percent of the sites was processed. Omurbek Babanov, the opposition candidate, has taken the second place. He scored more than 33 percent of the vote.

Kyrgyzstan has proved to the whole world that only the people decide the country’s fate, believes the leading candidate from the ruling party.

Jeenbekov noted that the holding of democratic elections became possible due to the current president, who "has built such a system."

He thanked his opponents "who worked in these elections in a very tough competition". Jeenbekov noted that he feels a great responsibility to the people and the country.

"For six years, much has been achieved and my task is to preserve and strengthen all this," the candidate added.

A total of 11 candidates, including one woman, were listed on the ballot. The three leading contenders - Babanov, Jeenbekov, and Temir Sariev - were all prime ministers during Atambaev's term in office.

The presidential term of the country’s current President Almazbek Atambayev ends on December 1 and he lacks the right of running for presidency again, as the Kyrgyz law prohibits the country’s citizen from being elected a President for two consecutive terms.

The President of Kyrgyzstan may be elected for a six-year term, according to the Constitution.