ZCZC
BFF-22
KYRGYZSTAN-VOTE-DEMONSTRATION
Kyrgyzstan cancels election result after night of chaos
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, Oct 6, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Kyrgyzstan’s electoral body
said Tuesday it was cancelling the results of a disputed parliamentary vote
that plunged the Central Asian nation into violence and political chaos.
The ex-Soviet nation’s Central Electoral Commission said in a statement
that it had “invalidated the election results” which saw parties close to
pro-Russian President Sooronbay Jeenbekov score big wins amid accusations of
mass vote-buying campaigns.
The results sparked a tumultuous night of protests and clashes in the
capital Bishkek, with protesters seizing government buildings and freeing
high-profile politicians including ex-president Almazbek Atambayev.
The clashes left dozens injured, with more than 100 people seeking care in
hospitals.
A health ministry spokeswoman said Tuesday that one of the injured had
died — a man wearing civilian clothes. The ministry had not yet identified
the victim, she told AFP by telephone.
The crisis — reminiscent of revolutions that saw presidents toppled in
2005 and 2010 — will be closely watched by Russia, which maintains a
military base in the landlocked republic of 6.5 million, and neighbouring
China.
Moscow’s embassy in Bishkek on Tuesday called for “a legal solution” to
the crisis. “Ensuring the safety of citizens, internal stability should be a
priority,” it added. Opposition politicians including a former prime
minister and several party leaders said they had formed a “coordination
council” to restore stability and “return to the rule of law”.
The council issued a statement criticising Jeenbekov for failing to honour
a promise to provide equal conditions for the parties competing in the vote.
Jeenbekov’s office has insisted the situation in the country is under his
control, while the president accused “several political forces” of attempting
to seize power.
“I ordered law enforcement agencies not to open fire or shed blood, so as
not to endanger the life of a single citizen,” Jeenbekov said.
He said he had “suggested that the Central Election Commission carefully
investigate the violations and, if necessary, annul the election results”
that sparked the unrest.
Along with Atambayev — a bitter rival of Jeenbekov — two former prime
ministers and two former lawmakers were released from jail, media reported.
– Broken windows, strewn debris –
On Tuesday morning, supporters of nationalist politician Sadyr Japarov —
who was also freed by protesters — called for him to be made prime minister
or president at a gathering outside the building that houses Jeenbekov’s
office and parliament.
An AFP correspondent saw broken windows and debris strewn around the rooms
of the building. Its exits were being guarded by protesters, with no official
security presence in sight. Volunteers were handing out tea and helping
municipal services cleaning up.
Media reported that Omurbek Suvanaliyev, whose party Butun Kyrgyzstan
scraped into parliament according to preliminary results, was appointed
national security chief.
It was not clear who had appointed Suvanaliyev or what legal force the
appointment had.
A preliminary count of the election results showed two pro-presidency
parties, Birimdik and Mekenim Kyrgyzstan, dominating the new parliament and
three parties represented in the outgoing parliament left out in the cold.
Opposition supporters poured onto Bishkek’s streets the previous evening
to demand Jeenbekov’s resignation and a re-run of Sunday’s poll.
– Poll sows divisions –
The peaceful demonstrations in Bishkek turned violent after a column of
protesters marched on the White House, home to parliament and the
presidential administration.
Police used water cannon, stun grenades and tear gas to disperse
protesters attempting to force their way through the gates of the building.
Demonstrators later returned and surrounded the building, eventually
breaking in and later marching to the State National Security Committee
building where former president Atambayev was jailed.
Footage posted on social media showed the 64-year-old greeting supporters
after he left jail, where he was serving an 11-year-sentence for his role in
the illegal release from jail of a mob boss.
Atambayev was once close with his successor Jeenbekov, but the pair fell
out shortly after the 61-year-old won 2017 presidential elections.
Both men are viewed as loyal allies of Russia, a destination for hundreds
of thousands of Kyrgyz migrants, whose strategic position in the country is
likely to remain unaffected despite the unrest.
BSS/AFP/FI/ 1546 hrs