As Ethnic Tensions Decrease, Voters Worried About Jobs, Corruption in Kyrgyzstan

As Kyrgyzstan prepares for presidential elections Oct. 30, unemployment and corruption are top issues for voters in Central Asia’s first parliamentary democracy. According to recent focus group research, Kyrgyz generally have a positive view of the current government thanks to steps it has taken to improve living standards, including wage increases for teachers, doctors and civil service employees; lower utility costs; and lower interest rates for farmers.

The current government came to power last year, following the ouster of authoritarian President Kurmanbek Bakiyev. Since then, the country has held a constitutional referendum, and parliamentary and local elections as it transitions to a democratic form of government. As stipulated in the constitutional referendum, President Roza Otunbayeva is not running for re-election, her government having served a transitional role.

In the south, where ethnic clashes between Uzbeks and Kyrgyz broke out after Bakiyev’s departure, people complimented the government for steps taken to improve relations between ethnic communities. Both Uzbeks and Kyrgyz in the region approved of the government’s quick reconstruction of damaged property, humanitarian and financial assistance for victims, and diversity campaigns. The groups continue to view the violence differently, however. Neither group takes responsibility for starting the conflict, and Kyrgyz believe no human rights violations occurred, a claim Uzbeks dispute.

The decrease in ethnic tension has allowed people to focus on the struggling economy, with many conceding there was little the transitional government could do with only a one-year term. The research found that people believe inflation and unemployment are to blame for workers going abroad to find jobs, separating families. Focus group participants believe the next president will play a critical role in the country’s economic development, and are evaluating candidates’ economic plans.

Most participants believe the elections will be fair and peaceful, and intend to vote. As they evaluate who should be their next president, they are considering prior leadership experience, political agenda and personality. Voters are following campaign news on television and online and plan to watch debates to learn more about candidates and how they behave in high-pressure situations. Most participants like the idea of candidates signing a code of conduct for the election, which some candidates did Sept. 26, with a minority believing that they should know how to act without a formal pledge.

Despite election excitement, people have negative opinions about the work of both parliament and political parties. They see parliament as ineffectual and self-serving and think there are too many political parties with too little emphasis on working together. They believe parties are focused entirely on winning upcoming elections rather than on issues of concern to citizens.

Corruption remains an aspect of daily life in Kyrgyzstan. Participants said they were certain it would take a long time to eradicate corruption, with some suggesting it will be impossible because corrupt practices are too deeply a part of politics, education, health care and other areas. The majority of participants thought the economic situation was to blame for corruption — low wages contributing to more people taking bribes, for example — but also that the people's mentality and the example government officials set for others contributed to the problem.

The focus groups were conducted July 27 to Aug. 3 by M-Vector, a Kyrgyz research and consulting firm. NDI is using the results, in addition to weekly telephone polls, to help political parties and candidates respond to citizen concerns. Before the election, the Institute is helping to produce a weekly television program on critical current topics, providing campaign training for candidates and partnering with the Coalition for Democracy and Civil Society as it organizes a country-wide election monitoring effort.

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Published Oct. 3, 2011