Snap presidential elections were held in Kyrgyzstan on 10 January 2021, alongside a constitutional referendum. The elections were called early following the resignation of President Sooronbay Jeenbekov in the wake of the 2020 Kyrgyzstani protests.
On 24 October 2020, the Central Electoral Commission of Kyrgyzstan (BShK) announced that an early presidential election would be held on 10 January 2021. The announcement of the early election occurred after several weeks of public protests and political chaos which caused the resignation of President Sooronbai Jeenbekov. The upheaval followed accusations of election corruption occurring in the 2020 Kyrgyz parliamentary election which was held on 4 October 2020 and was subsequently annulled by the Central Electoral Commission.
As of 14 November 2020, 63 individuals had filed applications to run for the office. On 4 December, the Central Committee on Elections announced the final list of 19 approved candidates.
All candidates officially ran as independents, although some were supported by their respective political parties. Sadyr Japarov won the election handily, receiving nearly 80% of the vote. A total of 10,851 ballots returned were invalid, in addition to 196 which were retrieved from invalid portable ballot boxes. Turnout was 39.16%.
Sources and further reading:
Nationalist Sadyr Zhaparov wins Kyrgyzstan’s presidential elections
https://www.dw.com/en/nationalist-sadyr-zhaparov-wins-kyrgyzstans-presidential-elections/a-56189197
Elections in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan: What Next?
https://thediplomat.com/2021/01/elections-in-kyrgyzstan-and-kazakhstan-what-next/