KYRGYZ ELECTION: FINAL RALLIES AND RESULTS TIMELINE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 000807 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/CEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM KG SUBJECT: KYRGYZ ELECTION: FINAL RALLIES AND RESULTS TIMELINE REF: A. BISHKEK 783 ¶B. BISHKEK 773 ¶C. BISHKEK 746 ¶D. BISHKEK 721 AND PREVIOUS BISHKEK 00000807 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: With the campaign for the July 23 presidential election coming to a close, some candidates chose to end with concerts and fireworks while others opted to end their month-long attempt at the presidency with silence on the last full day of campaigning, July 21. Following election day, the government has until August 2 to finalize the results and announce the country's newly elected leader. Embassy has heard that the inauguration for the winning presidential candidate has been scheduled for August ¶2. However, President Bakiyev celebrates his birthday on August 1, and will be hosting Russian President Medvedev July 31-August 1 for an informal CSTO summit. These events may influence the timing of the inauguration if, as most observers expect, President Bakiyev is declared the winner of the election. End Summary. FINAL CAMPAIGN THRUST VARIED FROM GRANDIOSE TO NON-EXISTENT -------------- -------------- ¶2. (SBU) In accordance with the Kyrgyz electoral code, campaigning for the July 23 presidential election ended twenty-four hours prior to the opening of polling stations. On July 21, the last full day for campaigning in what has been characterized as a lackluster or "boring" presidential campaign, the two most prominent candidates treated voters to concerts and rallies. Incumbent Kurmanbek Bakiyev spoke at Bishkek's "Spartak" sports stadium for a concert officially organized by the Ministry of Culture, Olympic Committee, and State Sports Agency as a celebration of "Olympic Day." The event, complete with Russian pop stars and a large fireworks display, promoted President Bakiyev, not Candidate Bakiyev, in a likely attempt to justify a government-funded event. Almazbek Atambayev, who represents the United People's Movement (UPM),met with voters in Kemin, hometown of former president Askar Akayev, while his campaign staff organized two final concerts in Bishkek with local artists and pop stars. (Note: The Bishkek mayor's office denied Atambayev permission to hold a subsequent concert on election day. End Note.) ¶3. (SBU) The four remaining candidates' efforts to influence voters revealed varying degrees of interest in the election campaign. The Ak Shumkar party's candidate, Temir Sariyev held meetings with voters in several districts around Bishkek, drawing in crowds of 100-200 supporters at each event. Toktoayim Umetalieva, an independent candidate, met with shoppers in the Dordoi, Osh, and Orto-Sai markets in Bishkek. Nurlan Motuyev chose to meet with a visiting observer delegation from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Dr. Jenishbek Nazaraliyev refrained from conducting any campaign-related activities on July 21. FINAL DAYS OF ELECTION TIMELINE -------------- ¶4. (SBU) According to the electoral code, the Kyrgyz Central Election Commission (CEC) will have up to five days, until July 28, to determine the election results and submit them to the Constitutional Court. Concurrently, the Constitutional Court is allowed seven days, until July 30, to determine the legality of the election proceedings and results. Within three days of a decision reached by the Constitutional Court, the CEC is obligated to publish the results. The latest at which the public should be informed of the presidential election results is Sunday, August 2. However, August 1 is President Bakiyev's birthday, and there is speculation that the results may be finalized by that date. (Note: Russian President Medvedev (and possibly other) Collective Security BISHKEK 00000807 002.2 OF 002 Treaty Organization (CSTO) heads of state are scheduled to be in Kyrgyzstan July 31-August 1 for an informal CSTO summit. End Note.) Embassy has heard that inauguration of the winning candidate has been scheduled for August 2. LITZENBERGER