Kurmanbek Bakiyev has won the Presidential election in Kyrgyzstan. Bakiyev, who was running from a strong starting platform – he was already the interim President following the toppling of Askar Akayev back in March – won an impressive 80% of the vote. My scepticism says that’s perhaps a little too impressive although Nathan, of registan.net, notes that Bakiyev didn’t really face any significant opposition:
Granted, I’m not in Kyrgyzstan, but these numbers sound credible because… Who else was running, again? Additionally though, some voters said they voted Bakiyev because he represents stability.
Early reports say that the vote appears clean and the election commission said turnout was over 50% meaning the election is valid.
Alan Kordova is in Kyrgyzstan and he visited some polling stations. Although Alan noted some problems, his impression was generally favourable:
…it seemed that voters were not well educated on the candidates and their platforms, despite large posters in many areas in towns with all of their statements. People voted for Bakiev just for the sake of voting for him, rather than any specific policies or ideological alignment.
…However, the critical other piece of the voting equation – that people vote based on their political preferences – may not yet be prevalent in Kyrgyzstan. The processes at each place seemed clean enough – everyone was very professional and well-trained. Hopefully, it will turn out as some think, whereby the experience of a good election will be the taste of real democracy that will begin the process of political transformation.
Robert Mayer of Publius Pundit has some more thoughts on the vote, including the observation that Bakiyev had a strong incentive to ensure that the vote was free and fair:
Since he’ll most likely win, a sound and healthy election will give him a stronger mandate than a result that is shaky and regarded as false by the people. It would also set an historic example for the rest of the region.
Finally, Nathan notes what may be Kyrgyzstan’s most enduring contribution to democracy, and get out the vote drives — dancing girls at polling stations:
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