Thumbnail Sketches of Registered Presidential Contenders

Mr. Askar Akaev:
Incumbent President.
Askar Akaev was born in 1944 in the village of Kyzyl Bairak in Kemin rayon, Chui Oblast. Doctor of technical sciences, professor. State official, first president of the Kyrgyz Republic.

Akaev is 55 years old, he graduated with honors from the Saint-Petersburg Institute of Sharp Mechanics and Optics. He became a candidate of sciences at the age of 27, and at the age of 34 he was awarded status of the doctor of sciences. He has been president of the Kyrgyz Republic since 1990.

Mr. Tursunbek Akunov:
Human Rights Movement of Kyrgyzstan
Mr. Akunov Tursunbek Akunovich, was born in 1959 in the village of Erki-Naryn of Naryn Province. He graduated from the Kyrgyz Agricultural Institute, and is the current chairman of the Human Rights Movement of Kyrgyzstan. At the age of 41 people called him a "white beard man" (aksakal.) They called him like that because he could recite for hours famous epic "Manas" , and people really respect that kind of things. In general, Mr. Akunov is quite an extraordinary personality. For instance, he was a Comsomol leader while he was a student, although Veterinary was his university major.

Mr. Almaz Atambaev:
Member of Parliament and Leader of the Social-Democratic Party.
Was born in 1956 in the village of Arashan in Alamedin rayon of Chui Oblast, graduated from the Moscow Academy of Management in Russia. Currently head of the board of directors of the industrial group "Forum".

After graduation he worked for three years as an engineer, then he had a very successful career as a member of the Soviet Council. That is where he decided to join the Communist Party but he quit in 1990 and founded his own firm called "Forum", which currently comprises the biggest 5 industrial factories in the country.

 Mr. Omurbek Tekebaev:
Vice Speaker of the Parliamentary House.
Omurbek Tekebaev was born in the village of Akman in Djalal-Abad Oblast in 1958. He graduated from the Kyrgyz State University with a diploma of a physics teacher. He is a vice-speaker of the Legislative Assembly of the Zhogorku Kenesh.

Mr. Tursunbai Bakyr-uulu:
Ambassador, Member of Parliament and Leader of the Erk Party.
Tursunbai Bakir-uulu was born in the city of Kara-Suu of the Osh Oblast in 1958. He graduated from the Kyrgyz State University with a Diploma of History. He is a deputy of the Legislative Assembly of the Zhogorku Kenesh

Mr. Melis Eshimkanov:
Journalist, and Leader of the Opposition People’s Party
Melis Eshimkanov was born in the village of Kazarman in the Djalal-Abad Oblast in 1962. He graduated from the Kyrgyz State University with a Diploma of Journalism. He is editor-in-chief of the Asaba newspaper.