BISHKEK (TASS) — Kyrgyzstan’s acting President Sadyr Japarov is winning Sunday’s presidential elections in the first round of voting, with 79.15% of votes, the Central Election Commission (CEC) said after counting ballots from 90.06% of polling stations.

Sadyr Japarov

(© Abylai Saralayev / TASS)

Japarov’s closest rival, Adakhan Madumarov, is scoring 6.56% of the vote.

On Sunday, Kyrgyzstan held early presidential polls and a referendum on the form of government, either a parliamentary or presidential republic. The voter turnout at Sunday’s presidential polls and referendum exceeded 35%. More than 300 international observers from 40 countries and 30 international organizations monitored Sunday’s voting in Kyrgyzstan.

Commenting on the results of the referendum on the form of government that was held along with the presidential polls, Central Election Commission chairman Nurzhan Shaidalbekova said that “the referendum can preliminarily be recognized as valid.”

Along with the presidential polls, Kyrgyzstan held a referendum on the form of government, either a presidential or a parliamentary republic. More than 80% of Kyrgyz voters voted in favour of the presidential system of government in the country, the Central Election Commission said after counting ballots from 90.1% of polling stations. As many as 10.83% voted in favour of the parliamentary system, and 4.41% were against both options.

Seventeen candidates were vying for the presidential office. Voting was held at 2,470 poling stations, including 48 outside the country. Early presidential elections will be valid regardless of the voter turnout while the referendum will be recognized valid with a voter turnout more than 30%

Former President Sooronbai Jeenbekov resigned on October 15, 2020 after nearly ten days of riots following parliamentary elections in the country. Jeenbekov held the office for three years. Prime Minister Kubatbek Boronov and parliament speaker Dastanbek Jumabekov also resigned amid the disorders.

Official results of the voting are expected to be made public within days.