Kyrgyzstan to allow voting at any polling station in presidential election

Kyrgyzstan is introducing a remote voting system for its upcoming presidential election, allowing citizens to cast their ballots at any polling station, regardless of their registered location. This includes provisions for voters residing outside the country.

The Central Election Commission (CEC) has approved the procedures for this new system, which aims to increase accessibility. Voters will not be required to submit advance applications to participate in remote voting. Instead, their data will be entered into the system on election day after identity verification.

For Kyrgyz citizens abroad, additional requirements are in place. They must have completed biometric registration and possess a current Kyrgyz residence registration. Identification for overseas voters will be conducted online, after which a ballot will be printed at the polling station.

The CEC also has the authority to establish special remote voting stations in high-traffic areas such as airports, shopping centers, markets, and workplaces with continuous operations. Voting will be open from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM local time on election day. Accepted identification documents include ID cards, general, diplomatic, or service passports, as well as digital passports via the "Tunduk" app. The process involves document verification, voter list confirmation, and biometric identification through fingerprints or facial geometry if fingerprints fail. After successful verification, a receipt and a paper ballot will be issued for voters to complete and submit.