Kyrgyzstan reduces election commission to eight members

Kyrgyzstan's parliament has officially approved a reduced Central Election Commission (CEC), shrinking its membership from 12 to eight individuals. This change comes as a result of recently enacted legislation aimed at streamlining the electoral body.

The selection process for the new commission followed a principle of equal distribution. President Sadyr Japarov nominated four candidates, while parliamentary factions put forward the remaining four. This approach ensures a balance of representation from both the executive and legislative branches.

Notably, only two members from the previous CEC have been retained in the new composition. These include the commission's chairman, Tynychtykbek Shainazarov, and Suiyunbek Kasymambetov. The inclusion of these experienced members aims to provide continuity and institutional knowledge during the transition.

Several of the newly appointed commission members have prior experience in government. Four individuals previously served as deputies in the Jogorku Kenesh, the Kyrgyz parliament. Their legislative backgrounds are expected to bring a nuanced understanding of parliamentary procedures and electoral law to the commission's work.