BISHKEK, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Kyrgyzstan's President Almazbek Atambayev announced on Monday that the country's presidential elections will be held on October 15, 2017.
"The people of Kyrgyzstan will elect a new president on October 15," Atambayev said at a solemn event dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the country's Armed Forces.
The Kyrgyz President said that now he is analyzing and summarizing the results of his work as a president. He said that over the last 5-6 years, the country has made considerable progress. "This is, first of all, peace and stability in the country. The army also reached great achievements," he said.
The six-year term of office of the current President of Kyrgyzstan Almazbek Atambayev ends on December 1 this year. In accordance with the law, elections must be held on the third Sunday of November, that is, on Nov. 19.
However, in April, the opposition faction of the Kyrgyz Parliament demanded to change the date of the elections, so that all procedures, including a probable second round and inauguration ceremony, could be completed before December 1, to prevent a conflict of law. This initiative was also supported by the coalition of the majority of the parliament, but for that it was necessary to introduce amendments to the constitutional law on elections.
Atambayev cannot take part in next presidential elections, since the same person does not have the right to hold the office of president twice.
A number of well-known politicians have already declared their intentions to run for elections. Among them are Prime Minister Sooronbai Zheenbekov, former Prime Ministers Omurbek Babanov and Temir Sariev, as well as leader of the parliamentary faction Bakyt Torobayev.
