Kyrgyz Leader Proposes Mandatory Parliamentary Voting Law

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has highlighted serious shortcomings in the recent parliamentary elections, citing low voter engagement as a major concern.

Speaking at the first parliamentary session, Japarov noted that despite open and transparent elections, electronic voting, and options for remote participation, turnout remained low, The Caspian Post reports via Russian media.

Although 200,000 more citizens voted compared to previous elections, the expected 70 per cent increase in voter activity was not achieved.

The president proposed introducing a bill on mandatory voting or finding alternative ways to boost citizen participation. He emphasized that typically only those who sell their votes actively participate, while others remain disengaged due to apathy or limited electoral awareness.

Japarov pointed to international examples, noting that such measures have proven effective elsewhere. In Türkiye, mandatory voting laws became less relevant after turnout increased, while in Singapore, the law remains in effect: citizens must vote, and failure to do so results in losing the right to participate in the next election.