Shouting Cars

Well, election season is in full swing here in the ol’ Kyrgyz Republic and I have to say that I am impressed. Campaign managers have managed to get on my nerves here the same way they do in the United States. So much for that brilliant plan of being out of the country in 2008!

The election here is not about a single man, but about the election of parties to fill the parliament that was left vacant by the countrywide Referendum that was passed in October. Instead of a certain person to elect, voters are asked to vote for a party based on their platform. The parties will later then select the members of parliament based on the percentage of votes they received. If a party gets 25% of the vote, they get 25% of the seats in parliament.

There is one catch, however. In order to receive any representation, a party must receive at least 10% of the vote in every oblast (state, of which we have seven).

There are, from what I gather, 17 parties that are running for parliament. The “Ak Jol” or “right path” party is backed by the President and clearly has the most financial backing. “Ata Meken” (no idea what it means) is certainly the loudest. “Turan” or “Birth” party has the most professional commercials, though that really isn’t much of a compliment. The Socialist Democratic Republic Party (SDRP) and the Communist Party both certainly have some footing in the community.

I want to point out that I have not mentioned a thing about anybody’s platforms. I have done this for two reasons: first, Peace Corps says I’m not allowed to and second because I really don’t care to know. As far as I can tell, which isn’t saying much, none of the parties are talking about issues or what they want for the country. Sadly, neither are any of the voters.

The campaigning here reminds me of what used to happen in the 1950’s (or modern day Iowa). The parties drive into towns and throw a huge party, put up some signs, and have some people drive around with megaphones attached to their cars shouting propaganda while you are trying to eat dinner. I don’t know if I would be more or less irritated if I actually knew what the cars were saying! Either way, I’m definitely tired of the process and cannot wait for it to be over.