Kyrgyzstan: Election body annuls parliamentary polls

By Nazir Aliyev Tayfur

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (AA) - Kyrgyzstan’s election commission on Tuesday announced it is annulling the results of the parliamentary elections after protests erupted in the country.

In a statement by the Central Election Commission, the parliamentary elections that took place on Oct. 4 have been declared invalid.

The decision came shortly after the country's President Sooronbay Jeenbekov called on all political parties to obey the rule of law and place the fate of the country above political ambitions.

Jeenbekov had said he has ordered the Central Election Commission to thoroughly investigate the violations and to annul the election results if necessary.

On Monday, Kyrgyzstan’s election body announced the first official results of elections held Sunday to choose 120 new members of parliament.

According to the preliminary results, voter turnout was around 55% and four political parties out of 16 passed the 7% threshold to enter parliament: the Birimdik (Unity) Party, Mekenim Kyrgyzstan (Homeland Kyrgyzstan) Party, Kyrgyzstan Party and Butun (All) Kyrgyzstan Party.

Supporters of 12 political parties that reportedly failed to exceed the 7% threshold set by the Central Election Commission for entry into parliament staged a protest in Ala-Too Square in the capital, demanding that the election results be canceled.

Riot police reportedly used tear gas, water cannons and stun grenades to disperse the crowd of over 5,000 protesters.

Demonstrators drove trucks toward the police, who retreated, and occupied the presidential palace and interior of the parliament building.

While one person died amid the ongoing protests, nearly 600 people have reportedly been injured.

*Writing by Merve Aydogan in Ankara