On November 30, Kyrgyzstan held early elections to its national parliament, the Jogorku Kenesh. Around 4.3 million citizens were on the voter rolls, but only slightly over 1.5 million cast their votes, resulting in a turnout of 36.9%, Fergana News reports, citing Kyrgyz media sources.

According to the Central Election Commission (CEC), automated ballot boxes recorded nearly 1.4 million ballots, of which over 1.375 million were declared valid. Around 21,000 ballots were rejected.

Kyrgyz citizens abroad reportedly also showed strong participation. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that voting was conducted at 100 polling stations in 89 cities across 34 countries — a record for parliamentary elections. The last station to close was in San Francisco, early on December 1, Bishkek time. More than 26,000 people voted abroad — more than double the number in the 2021 elections.

Election conduct and reforms

CIS Interparliamentary Assembly Secretary-General Dmitry Kobitsky stated that the 36.9% turnout is not critically low and in fact exceeds the previous figure of 34%.

CEC Chairman Tynchtyk Shaynazarov emphasized that the use of automated systems eliminated the potential for fraud. During the campaign, the commission received 269 complaints of possible violations, 67 of which came on election day. Most related to campaigning, alleged vote-buying, and misuse of administrative resources. No technical malfunctions were reported.

Prime Minister Adylbek Kasymaliyev noted that the elections were calm and transparent: “They were fully conducted using an automated system, with no interference from authorities or use of administrative leverage.”

Observers from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) called the elections “open, free, and legitimate.” With 97% of ballots counted electronically, early results show current MPs, bloggers, and public figures among the frontrunners. A preliminary list of 90 elected members has been published; final results will be announced by the CEC by December 14.

The previous parliament voted to dissolve itself on September 25, aiming to increase the gap between parliamentary and presidential elections. Another reason cited for early elections was the electoral law reform signed by the president in June 2025.

Under the new system, the 90 parliamentary seats are distributed across 30 districts, with each electing three deputies — one of whom must be a woman.