Polls opened in the Central Asian republic of Kyrgyzstan on Sunday (November 30, 2025) in a snap parliamentary election amid the arrests of opposition figures and the closure of independent media outlets.

It is expected to cement the grip of President Sadyr Zhaparov, who has sought to suppress dissent in what was once Central Asia’s most democratic country.

The vote is being held a year earlier than scheduled, a move that officials have justified by arguing that the parliamentary elections would otherwise fall too close to the 2027 presidential elections.

There have also been sweeping changes to Kyrgyzstan’s electoral system, with 30 constituencies electing three lawmakers each. According to the Central Election Commission, 467 candidates are vying for the 90 seats in Kyrgyzstan’s one-chamber parliament, the Jogorku Kenesh. There’s also a gender quota system that requires at least one female lawmaker from each district.

Analysts say candidates loyal to Mr. Zhaparov are likely to succeed thanks to the rapidly growing economy over which the Kyrgyz leader presides, fueled in part by Kyrgyzstan’s role in circumventing sanctions against Russia.

Kyrgyzstan, one of the poorest countries to emerge from the former Soviet Union, is a member of Russia-dominated economic and security alliances, hosts a Russian air base and depends on Moscow’s economic support. It was formerly the site of a U.S. air base that was used in the war in Afghanistan.

But Mr. Zhaparov has also sought to cement his position by cracking down on potential rivals.

“The suppression of the opposition and independent media, the growing economy, and Russia’s support guarantee the current ruling elite’s hold on power,” Emil Juraev, an independent analyst in Bishkek, told the Associated Press. “There is virtually no opposition participating in the elections. The elections will be very predictable and, as some have already described, dull.”

In the week before the elections, Kyrgyz authorities launched a wave of arrests, searches, and interrogations against opposition figures and journalists, a move that has been described by critics as politically motivated.

Many of those targeted have been accused of calling for “mass unrest.” Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs has reported the arrest of at least 10 opposition figures.

“There will be no coups,” Mr. Zhaparov, who came to power in 2020 after his predecessor was ousted by a popular uprising sparked by a contentious parliamentary election, declared in his pre-election address. “From now on, you will only see coups in your dreams.”

Some of those targeted are allies of former President Almazbek Atambayev, who ruled Kyrgyzstan from 2011 to 2017 and now lives in Spain. Atambayev’s son was detained, and his wife was summoned for questioning.

Journalists have also been under attack. In late October, a Kyrgyz court labeled three of the country’s major independent media outlets — Kloop, Temirov Live and AitAit Dese — as “extremist organizations,” the first such ruling in the country’s history.

The decision bans access to the outlets’ websites in Kyrgyzstan, as well as activity “under the direction or with the participation” of journalists Bolot Temirov and Rinat Tuhvatshin, who were at the helm of Temirov Live and Kloop, respectively.

This decision follows a new media law signed by Mr. Zhaparov in August, which requires all media outlets, including online platforms, to register with the authorities.

According to Human Rights Watch, “the Kyrgyz government has intimidated and silenced journalists, media outlets, human rights defenders and government critics. New laws curtail the rights of citizens to information.”

Although the U.S. State Department has classified an array of “significant human rights issues” in Kyrgyzstan, in November U.S. President Donald Trump hosted the leaders of five Central Asian countries, including Mr. Zhaparov, at the White House. During the summit, the leaders discussed access to the region’s rich mineral resources, where China and Russia are already actively pursuing their interests.

Kyrgyzstan’s economy is experiencing rapid growth, allowing the country’s president to contain popular discontent. Kyrgyzstan’s GDP has grown for the fourth consecutive year, rising by 10% from January to September this year, according to a report from the State Statistics Committee.

Analysts believe that the parliamentary elections in Kyrgyzstan are a rehearsal for the presidential election, already scheduled for January 2027, and that control over the new parliament will allow incumbent Mr. Zhaparov to prepare for the presidential campaign.

“When we talk about the president, we are, of course, talking about a unified power structure, the ruling elite of Kyrgyzstan. And for this group, parliament will not just be a majority; the entire parliament will support the president and his policies,” Mr. Juraev told the AP.

Published – November 30, 2025 01:43 pm IST

Bishkek:

Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said that the situation in Bishkek is calm and under full control and all necessary measures have been taken to ensure security and maintain peace and stability.

The Kyrgyzstan Ministry said that destructive forces are deliberately disseminating untrue and false information about the situation in the country to foreign media outlets and social networks, particularly in Pakistan.

In a statement, Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic informs that destructive forces are deliberately disseminating untrue and false information about the situation in the Kyrgyz Republic in foreign mass media and social networks, especially in the territory of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.”

“The Ministry informs that the situation in the city of Bishkek of the Kyrgyz Republic is calm and under full control, and all necessary measures have been taken to ensure security, maintain peace and stability,” it added.

Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged journalists and the blogger community to publish only official and confirmed information from the competent authorities of the country.

“Therefore, the Ministry urges public information media, bloggers, community representatives, as well as foreign experts to take only official and confirmed information from the competent authorities of the Kyrgyz Republic,” Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

Reportedly, there have been several incidents of mob violence against foreign students in Bishkek since Friday evening, the Pakistan embassy in Kyrgyzstan said in a social media post, adding that the situation heated up.

“There have been a number of incidents of mob violence against foreign students in Bishkek since last evening. According to the Kyrgyz press, the matter boiled over yesterday due to sharing online of videos of a fight between Kyrgyz students and medical students from Egypt on May 13,” the Pakistan embassy in Kyrgyzstan stated.

Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Kyrgyzstan advised the Indian students to stay indoors and to get in touch with the Indian embassy. The Indian embassy also shared a helpline contact number for the students.

“We are in touch with our students. The situation is presently calm but students are advised to stay indoors for the moment and get in touch with the Embassy in case of any issue. Our 24×7 contact number is 0555710041,” the Indian embassy in Kyrgyzstan posted on X.

Highlighting that the situation is reportedly calm now, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday emphasized that they are monitoring the welfare of Indian students in Bishkek.

“Monitoring the welfare of Indian students in Bishkek. Situation is reportedly calm now. Strongly advise students to stay in regular touch with the Embassy,” he stated in a post on X.

Moreover, a few hospitals of medical universities in Kyrgyzstan’s capital and private residences of international students have been attacked, the Pakistan embassy in Kyrgyzstan stated.

“The hostels are inhabited by students from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. There have been reports of light injuries to a number of students from Pakistan,” it added. “So far, the violence appears to be directed against all foreign students and not specific to Pakistanis,” the Pakistan embassy stressed.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif shared a post on X, highlighting that they have directed Pakistan’s Ambassador to provide all necessary help and assistance.

“Deeply concerned over the situation of Pakistani students in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. I have directed Pakistan’s Ambassador to provide all necessary help and assistance. My office is also in touch with the Embassy and constantly monitoring the situation,” Shehbaz Sharif said.

After Pakistan advised students in Kyrgyzstan to stay indoors as mob violence continues against international students, Pakistan Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Baloch said that a demarche has been made with Kyrgyzstan on the instructions of Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar.

“At the instructions of DPM @MIshaqDar50 a demarche has been made with the Kyrgyz Republic. They have been impressed to take all possible measures to ensure the safety and security of Pakistani students and citizens residing in the Kyrgyz Republic,” Mumtaz Baloch said in a post shared on X.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)