2021 Kyrgyz constitutional referendum

Second of two referendums that remade Kyrgyzstan a presidential republic Not to be confused with 2021 Kyrgyz government system referendum.

Politics of Kyrgyzstan


CIS Member State
Constitution
Executive President Sadyr Japarov Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Akylbek Japarov
Legislative Supreme Council President Talant Mamytov
Elections Recent elections Presidential: 2011 2017 2021 2026 Parliamentary: 2010 2015 2020 2021 Referendums: 2010 2016 2021 (Jan) 2021 (Apr) Political parties Politicians
Foreign relations Ministry of Foreign Affairs Minister: Ruslan Kazakbayev Diplomatic missions of / in Kyrgyzstan Passport Visa requirements Visa policy
Related topics Human rights Administrative divisions (regions districts) Tulip Revolution (2005) Second revolution (2010) Third revolution (2020)
v t e

A constitutional referendum was held in Kyrgyzstan on 11 April 2021. The new constitution was approved by 85% of voters.

Background

Following the 2020 parliamentary elections, protests started in October 2020 that led to the resignation of president Sooronbay Jeenbekov. In January 2021 a referendum on the form of government was held alongside presidential elections (won by Sadyr Japarov), with voters asked whether they would prefer a presidential system, a parliamentary system, or opposed both. Just over 84% voted in favour of a presidential system.

Work began on drafting a new constitution, which was debated in the Supreme Council in February 2021. The draft new constitution replaces a parliamentary system with a presidential one, with presidents limited to two five years terms instead of a single six-year term. It also reduces the number of seats in the Supreme Council from 120 to 90 and establishes a constitutional court. The changes were described by Associate Professor William Partlett of Melbourne Law School as moving "toward a form of presidentialism that is close to the authoritarian-style 'crown-presidentialism' in the post-Soviet Eurasian space."

In March 2021 members of the Supreme Council passed a bill, scheduling a referendum on the new constitution for 11 April, the same day as local elections.

Results


Choice	Votes	%
For	1,048,660	85.25
Against	181,370	14.75
Total	1,230,030	100.00

Valid votes	1,230,030	93.08
Invalid/blank votes	91,472	6.92
Total votes	1,321,502	100.00
Registered voters/turnout	3,606,201	36.65
Source: CEC

Aftermath

The new constitution was adopted on 11 April 2021. President Japarov signed it on 5 May 2021.

References

^ Kyrgyzstan to hold constitution referendum on April 11 Interfax, 11 March 2021
William Partlett, Kyrgyzstan’s 2021 Constitution: A Brief Comparative and Historical Analysis.
"President Japarov signs new Constitution of Kyrgyzstan". akipress.com. Retrieved 5 May 2021..

v t e Elections and referendums in Kyrgyzstan
Presidential elections	1991 1995 2000 2005 2009 2011 2017 2021
Parliamentary elections	1937 1947 1951 1954 1959 1963 1967 1971 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2007 2010 2015 2020 2021 2025
Local elections	... 2004 2008 2012 2016 2021
Referendums	1991 1994 (Jan) 1994 (Oct) 1996 1998 2003 2007 2010 2016 2021 (Jan) 2021 (Apr)
See also: Elections and referendums in the Soviet Union

Categories: