Baktybek Kalmamatov submits application to CEC to contest Kyrgyz presidential election
Former Jogorku Kenesh member Baktybek Kalmamatov filed an application with the Central Commission for Elections and Referenda (CEC) on November 11 nominating himself for the presidency of Kyrgyzstan. He became the seventh contender to enter the race for the January 27, 2027 election, the Central Election Commission reported.
Kalmamatov is running as a self-nominated candidate.
Between 2010 and 2015, he served as a deputy of the Jogorku Kenesh's fifth convocation. In parliament, he held the positions of deputy chairman of the Committee on Youth Policy, Physical Culture and Sports, and later deputy chairman of the Committee on Law and Order, Crime Prevention and Anti-Corruption.
In 2020, Kalmamatov already ran in the snap presidential election as a self-nominated candidate. On December 12, 2020, the CEC officially registered him as a candidate.
Following the vote on January 10, 2021, he received 6,893 votes, or 0.49%, finishing in 13th place.
Later, Kalmamatov took part in the 2021 parliamentary elections as part of the Azattyk party.
Who else has applied to the CEC
As of November 11, seven individuals have submitted nomination papers for the head of state post:
- Aimen Kasenov;
- Akai Kydyrov;
- Azamat Esenbekov;
- Iskhak Masaliev;
- Syimyk Zhapykeev;
- Sadyr Japarov;
- Baktybek Kalmamatov.
Submitting an application does not yet signify registration as a candidate. To run in the election, contenders must collect at least 30,000 voter signatures, pass a state language proficiency test, and pay an election deposit of 1 million som.
The nomination of candidates runs until November 13, 2026. Following this, applicants must submit their documents for registration. The CEC will conclude candidate registration no later than December 23.
The presidential election in Kyrgyzstan will take place on January 27, 2027. The decision to schedule the vote was adopted by the Jogorku Kenesh on September 24, 2026.
