Bishkek (AsiaNews / Agencies) – A head to head between 5 parties in Kyrgyzstan is pointing to the probability of a coalition government. Yesterday’s elections ran smoothly but with a low turn-out.
The counting of votes for the new Kyrgyz parliament is still underway, so far without any irregularities. With more than half the votes counted, five parties are vying for the lead: the nationalist Party Ata-Zhurt, which encompasses many former supporters of deposed President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, with approximately 8, 66% ahead of the pro-government Social Democrats Sdpk with 8 .07% and other three parties with 6-7% each. In any case, the fact the next legislature will be formed by a coalition government is evident, confirming the predictions that no party would be able to prevail.
Yesterday 56.59% of the 2.8 million eligible to elect 120 parliamentarians from 29 parties voted. It is the lowest turnout of past elections, but the interim government said that this is evidence that previous votes were manipulated. Experts say that, moreover, many migrant workers can not return home and that the turnout was low, especially in the southern regions, where there are still too many refugees.
Prime Minister Roza Otunbayeva (pictured, while voting) said that these are "the first free elections in Kyrgyzstan."
The election took place without any public disorders, confirming hopes that after 6 months of street protests debate will return to parliament. The observers sent by international bodies, confirmed the regularity of the election and talk about a few cases of attempted fraud.
In addition, all consider the coming days crucial to see if the losing side will accept the result or there will be accusations of vote rigging. The risk is that street protests will resume.