2021 Kyrgyz constitutional referendum

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Not to be confused with 2021 Kyrgyz government system referendum.
Politics of Kyrgyzstan
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Commonwealth of Independent States CIS Member State

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A constitutional referendum was held in Kyrgyzstan on 11 April 2021. The new constitution was approved by 85% of voters.

Background[]

Following the 2020 parliamentary elections, protests started in October 2020 that led to the resignation of President Sooronbay Jeenbekov. In January 2021 a referendum on the form of government was held alongside presidential elections (won by Sadyr Japarov), with voters asked whether they would prefer a presidential system, a parliamentary system, or opposed both. Just over 84% voted in favour of a presidential system.

Work began on drafting a new constitution, which was debated in the Supreme Council in February 2021. The draft new constitution replaces a parliamentary system with a presidential one, with presidents limited to two five years terms instead of a single six-year term. It also reduces the number of seats in the Supreme Council from 120 to 90 and establishes a constitutional court.[1] The changes were described as moving "toward a form of presidentialism that is close to the authoritarian-style 'crown-presidentialism' in the post-Soviet Eurasian space."[2]

In March 2021 members of the Supreme Council passed a bill, scheduling a referendum on the new constitution for 11 April, the same day as .[1]

Results[]

Referendum results
Choice Votes %
Referendum passed Yes 1,048,660 85.25
No 181,370 14.75
Valid votes 1,230,030 93.08
Invalid or blank votes 91,472 6.92
Total votes 1,321,502 100.00
Registered voters and turnout 3,606,201 36.65
Source: CEC

Aftermath[]

The new constitution was adopted on 11 April 2021. President Japarov signed it on 5 May 2021.[3]

References[]

  1. ^ a b Kyrgyzstan to hold constitution referendum on April 11 Interfax, 11 March 2021
  2. ^ William Partlett, Kyrgyzstan’s 2021 Constitution: A Brief Comparative and Historical Analysis.
  3. ^ "President Japarov signs new Constitution of Kyrgyzstan". akipress.com. Retrieved 5 May 2021..
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