Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan Almazbek Atambaev looks like he is trying to calm everyone down by giving his firm statements regarding the recent changes that occurred both in politics and economics of the country. Since the president Bakiev has declared that there is going to be referendum on Constitution on the 21st of October this year, there have been big debates whether over legitimacy of new constitution and circumstances under which the referendum is going to be held. The opposition, Parliament members and representatives of the civil society and non-governmental organizations express their concern over the issue. For instance, the deputy of the Parliament Azimbek Beknazarov is sure that the upcoming referendum does not comply with the Constitution (AKIpress):

“It surprises me that we still plan on holding a referendum when we don’t know which Constitution the country is living by”.

His colleague Omurbek Tekebaev also shares Beknazarov’s opinion and believes that the referendum should be held in accordance with legislation. The law “On Referendums” says that the polling commissions must be made public and should be formed 30 days in advance. According to him, the referendum will not be valid because the Central Elections Committee (CEC) is violating the law and obeys Bakiev’s order.

“In every redaction of the Constitution there is a norm according to which the order for holding a referendum can’t be outlined by the Elections Code or any other laws, it can only be held according to the law ‘On Referendums’”.

Prime Minister believes that the referendum will be supported by the people of Kyrgyzstan. He said to media that after the referendum the Kyrgyz Government will resign.

“In any case we have nothing to be afraid of; we have done everything we could. In such a way we have a reserve to support our people during hard times. The main point is that we should not create panic”.