A proposal for an early presidential election in Kyrgyzstan has gained public attention following a petition submitted by prominent former officials and public figures, raising the likelihood that the country could hold a snap vote well ahead of the scheduled January 2027 election.

On February 9, a group of 75 former senior officials, academics, military figures, and cultural personalities sent a public appeal to President Sadyr Japarov and Speaker of Parliament Nurlanbek Turgunbek uulu, urging them to “immediately initiate a new election for president.” While no official response has yet been issued, political observers say the proposal stands a strong chance of moving forward, according to TCA.

Background: Early Parliamentary Elections

Kyrgyzstan held early parliamentary elections on November 30, 2025, after lawmakers voted in September to dissolve the legislature. The decision followed amendments adopted in June 2025 that overhauled the electoral system, replacing the mixed model of party lists and single-mandate districts with a fully single-mandate system and redrawing district boundaries.

The original parliamentary elections were scheduled for late November 2026, just weeks before the presidential election planned for January 2027. Authorities and political actors argued that holding two nationwide elections so close together would strain voters and risk legal disputes overlapping with the presidential campaign. Moving the parliamentary vote forward by a year was presented as a solution.

Content of the Petition

The letter praises the current administration for restoring political stability, strengthening the armed forces, resolving border disputes with Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, combating corruption, and curbing organized crime. At the same time, the signatories acknowledge unresolved challenges, including rising national debt, poverty, and the continued outmigration of young people seeking work abroad.

A central argument for an early presidential election concerns constitutional ambiguity. President Japarov was elected in January 2021 to a six-year term under the previous constitution. However, a new constitution approved by referendum in April 2021 reduced the presidential term to five years while allowing presidents to serve two terms instead of one. Supporters of a snap election argue that holding the vote this year would align Japarov’s mandate with the current constitutional framework.

Questions Over Authorship

The list of signatories includes former deputies, nine former regional governors, four former prime ministers, senior military officials, academics, artists, and a named Olympic medalist. However, independent outlet Kaktus Media reported that some individuals listed denied signing the letter. Olympic weightlifting champion Kanybek Osmonaliyev stated that he had not been approached and was not involved, while others, including former Prime Minister Tursunbek Chyngyshev, confirmed their participation.

The origin of the petition remains unclear, and none of the individuals contacted by Kaktus Media said they knew who authored or coordinated the appeal. The outlet also reported that rumors of an early presidential election had been circulating prior to the letter’s publication, suggesting the move may have been planned in advance.

Likely Political Outcome

President Japarov currently enjoys strong public support, and analysts say it would be difficult for any challenger to mount a competitive campaign on short notice. While an early election may not be politically necessary, delaying the vote until the end of his six-year term could give opponents grounds to argue that the one-term limit of the previous constitution should apply.

Even if the current petition is rejected, observers expect similar appeals to follow, increasing the likelihood that Kyrgyzstan will hold an early presidential election later this year.