08 Aug 2018 | 12:22 AM UTC
Kyrgyzstan: Protests possible during Bishkek mayoral election August 8
City Council to vote for new mayor of Bishkek on August 8, with only one candidate on ballot; avoid all potential protests
Event
Members of the City Council will vote to select Bishkek's new mayor between 09:00 and 12:00 (local time) at Bishkek City Hall on Wednesday, August 8. Civic groups opposing the election may hold protests in the capital on Wednesday to coincide with the vote, as only one candidate, Aziz Surakmatov, is on the ballot. A previous protest was held on Monday, August 6, outside the Central Election Commission (CEC) building. A heightened security presence and localized traffic disruptions are to be anticipated near protest sites.
Context
The previous mayor, Albek Ibraimov, was dismissed on July 19 by Prime Minister Muhammadkal Abylgaziev after the Bishkek City Council unanimously passed a no-confidence motion against Ibraimov on July 13. Ibraimov was arrested on July 19, and remains in jail pending trial for corruption and fraud.
Advice
Individuals in Bishkek are advised to monitor the situation, avoid all demonstrations as a precaution due to the risk of potential associated violence, and anticipate traffic disruptions around all public gatherings.
On a separate note, ethnic and political tensions continue to affect Kyrgyzstan, especially in the south. Supporters of terrorist groups and anti-Western, anti-Semitic, extremist organizations may attempt to target US or Western interests in the region.
