President, CEC head discuss preparations for 2020 parliamentary elections

Bishkek, Mar.5, 2020. /Kabar/. President Sooronbay Jeenbekov received on Thursday Chairwoman of the Central Commission for Elections and Referendum of the Kyrgyz Republic Nurzhan Shaildabekova.

The progress of preparation for the parliamentary elections and local councils was discussed, the Kyrgyz President’s press service said.

Sooronbay Jeenbekov noted the necessity to ensure full transparency of the election process, equal access of all political parties to participate in the election campaign and creation of equal conditions for them in accordance with the election legislation.

He stressed that the upcoming elections to local councils (to be held on Apr.12, 2020) are a test for state bodies’ preparedness to hold parliamentary elections. In this regard, he reiterated the need to ensure their full openness and transparency.

Chairwoman Shaildabekova noted that all preparations for the elections of deputies to local councils are carried out in accordance with the country's legislation.

According to her, in order to raise awareness of political parties on the basic principles of the electoral law, workshops were held in the regions of the country.

The head of the Central Electoral Commission also said about the holding of meetings in the regions with the participation of law enforcement agencies on issues of ensuring of legality and counteracting violations during the election period.

As it was noted, the participation of twenty-two political parties in the upcoming elections to the local councils of towns testifies to the competitiveness and democracy of the electoral process in the country.

Also, in accordance with the adopted amendments to the Law of the Kyrgyz Republic “On the election of deputies to local councils”, at the upcoming elections in 25 town councils at least 30 % of mandates will be reserved for women.

Such measure should be the basis for increasing the participation of women in local councils to 38 %.

A total of 375 members of the town councils will be elected, of which 142 seats are open to women.