Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 3
By Aygun Badalova - Trend:
Some new parties could get seats in the forthcoming Kyrgyzstan's parliamentary election poll, which will take place on October 4, US expert on Central Asia Bruce Pannier believes.
"I think most of the parties currently in government now will do fairly well in elections - the Social democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan (SDPK) and the combined (for these elections) Respublika Ata-Jurt parties. There are some new parties such as Bir Bol, the Kyrgyzstan party and a couple of others that could get some seats in the election poll," Pannier told Trend on October 3.
However, whoever gets seats in the next parliament, Pannier does not expect the new government would alter its position with Russia.
"Russia is considered a valued partner in Kyrgyzstan and Kyrgyzstan's entry into the Eurasian Economic Union in August brought Kyrgyzstan even closer to Russia," Pannier said.
The parliamentary election will take place in Kyrgyzstan on October 4.
In total, 14 political parties will participate in the election - the Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan, Ata Meken, Bir Bol, Ar-Namys, Onuguu-Progress, Azattyk, Respublika-Ata Jurt, Butun Kyrgyzstan-Emgek, Zamandash, Uluu Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan, Meken Yntymagy, People's Congress of Kyrgyzstan and Aalam Party of the Unaffiliated.
As many as 2,374 domestic polling stations and 36 abroad polling stations will be opened. Also, 46 additional polling stations will be opened in the cities of Bishkek and Osh. As many as 2.761,270 million voters have been registered.
On October 3, a day of silence has been announced in the country before the election.
Pannier, who spent more than two weeks in the country, observing the pre-election campaign, said that it has gone amazingly smoothly and there is no reason to expect any problems at all on election day.
What happens after the election depends on how Kyrgyzstan's people accept the election results, Pannier noted.
"There has been a lot of energy and enthusiasm during the campaign. If some party or parties feel they have been cheated by the results and can convince enough people that it is true there could be demonstrations and protests," Pannier said.
"However, I consider that unlikely since the SDPK does seem to enjoy widespread popularity and will probably do very well in these elections. Briefly put, most people expect the SDPK to win a majority of votes so no one will be surprised," Pannier added.
Any possible disturbances would come well after the elections and be related to perceptions if the new government is doing enough to improve the situation in Kyrgyzstan, Pannier believes.
"The people of Kyrgyzstan have high expectations for these elections and what comes after," he added.
The last parliamentary election in Kyrgyzstan was held on October 10, 2010.