It is important to note that the draft laws propose to reduce the number of CEC members from 12 to 7. However, during the second reading, the initiators intend to introduce an amendment stating that the commission should consist of eight members.
During the discussion, Bekeshev inquired about how much funding is allocated for the maintenance of one CEC member per year, how this will affect the budget, and whether the reduction in members will impact the efficiency of the commission's work.
The head of the CEC, Tynchtyk Shainazarov, explained that the commission has a chairman and two deputies working on a permanent basis, while the other nine members receive compensation for their work.
"The expenses for one CEC member amount to 585,000 soms per year, not including travel expenses. The adoption of this bill will lead to savings of over 2 million soms. Reducing the number of members will not affect the commission's work," he noted.
The initiator of the bill, Nurbek Sydygaliev, added that in Kazakhstan, where the population is 20 million, there are only seven members in the CEC.
"The decision to have 12 members in the CEC of Kyrgyzstan was made under a parliamentary system when there was an opposition and a ruling party. Currently, such a situation does not exist. Reducing the number of CEC members will allow for quicker resolution of quorum issues," he added.
Bekeshev also emphasized that the key aspect of the CEC's work is not so much the number of members but the qualifications of its members.
"The commission should consist of specialists who have a good understanding of electoral legislation. We have cases where 'parachutists' do not grasp the essence of elections, despite explanations. It is necessary to develop clear criteria for selecting CEC members, as was done for auditors of the Accounts Chamber," he concluded.
