BISHKEK -- A prominent Kyrgyz lawyer has petitioned the country’s Constitutional Court to give the date of the next presidential election.
Asylbek Jeenbekov, a member of the opposition Social Democratic Party, told RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service that he has a constitutional right to make the request.
The Social Democrats' parliamentary head, Bakyt Beshimov, said the party respects Jeenbekov's "personal decision" as a citizen.
President Kurmanbek Bakiev was elected in July 2005 and his term, according to the constitution in existence when he was elected, would expire this fall. But in accordance with the constitution adopted in October 2007, the next presidential election would be held in 2010.
The Constitutional Court is to issue its verdict on Jeenbekov's appeal within three months.
Bakiev told journalists last month that he intends to run for a second term and would let the courts decide when the next election should occur.
Asylbek Jeenbekov, a member of the opposition Social Democratic Party, told RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service that he has a constitutional right to make the request.
The Social Democrats' parliamentary head, Bakyt Beshimov, said the party respects Jeenbekov's "personal decision" as a citizen.
President Kurmanbek Bakiev was elected in July 2005 and his term, according to the constitution in existence when he was elected, would expire this fall. But in accordance with the constitution adopted in October 2007, the next presidential election would be held in 2010.
The Constitutional Court is to issue its verdict on Jeenbekov's appeal within three months.
Bakiev told journalists last month that he intends to run for a second term and would let the courts decide when the next election should occur.
