The Situation

Following landmark parliamentary elections in October 2010 and a peaceful presidential election in October 2011, Kyrgyzstan stands closer to realizing actual democracy than ever. However, many challenges remain.

The outbreak of ethnic violence in the south of the country during the summer of 2010 after the overthrow of the Bakiyev regime widened an already prominent ethnic gap. The October 2011 presidential election highlighted north-south tensions. The world will watch as Kyrgyzstan makes its first peaceful transition of power from one president to another. It will be up to the new leadership to maintain unity, strengthen democratic institutions and confront deep-seated problems such as corruption and economic malaise.

Our Role

Since 1993, IFES has provided technical assistance to electoral systems in the Kyrgyz Republic, seeking to improve the quality and integrity of elections while also increasing civic engagement.

Projects have included civil society development, school-based civic education, voter education, technical election assistance, political party development, survey research and youth programs.

With its non-partisan, cooperative approach, IFES has developed positive working relationships with election officials and state organizations like the Ministry of Education and the State Registry Service, as well as members of the non-governmental community. IFES’ overall goal in Kyrgyzstan is to promote a more honest, legitimate electoral process and to encourage young people to become active citizens.

What We Are Doing

• Improving the voter registration process
• Supporting election law reform
• Strengthening the Central Election Commission (CEC) and other electoral management bodies
• Encouraging active citizenship
• Developing more well-informed and politically active youth in Kyrgyzstan