"There will be three cities of republican significance in Kyrgyzstan: Bishkek, Osh, and Manas," Tashiev said, receiving applause.Two weeks later, on October 24, during an extraordinary meeting of the city council of Manas, a decision was made to grant the city this status. Council speaker Nurtilek Bolotov reported that 24 out of 41 deputies were present at the meeting. The decision was unanimous.
Why is this necessary?
Mayor Ernisbek Ormokov noted that at the Kurultai in 2023 and 2024, delegates from Jalal-Abad proposed to President Sadyr Japarov to grant Manas a new status. This proposal came from the residents.According to him, granting the status of a city of republican significance will open opportunities for economic development, attracting investments, and addressing social issues.“Manas is one of the rapidly developing cities in the republic. As part of the administrative-territorial reform, three ayil okmotu joined the city, which increased its territory and population,” Ormokov added.
Is a referendum needed?
Felix Kulov, a former deputy of the Jogorku Kenesh, reminded that Article 14 of the Constitution of Kyrgyzstan states that only Bishkek and Osh have the status of cities of republican significance. He noted that after the renaming of Jalal-Abad to Manas, the city continues to be considered a city of regional significance.“If there is a desire to grant it the status of a city of republican significance, it is necessary to amend Article 14, adding Manas to Bishkek and Osh. However, such a change is only possible after a nationwide referendum, as changes to the first section of the Constitution can be initiated by no less than 300,000 voters or 2/3 of the deputies of the Jogorku Kenesh,” Kulov noted.
He expressed his position that the name of the legendary hero, symbolizing the unity and national pride of the Kyrgyz people, should be associated with a city of republican significance.“Therefore, it makes sense to conduct a nationwide referendum, along with other relevant initiatives, such as the introduction of the death penalty,” Kulov believes.
Opinion of the State Agency for Local Self-Government and Interethnic Relations
Venera Isalieva, head of the department for administrative-territorial structure issues at the State Agency for Local Self-Government and Interethnic Relations, explained to Kaktus.media how the process of changing the status of settlements takes place. She stated that there is an interdepartmental commission under the cabinet of ministers, and this agency is its working body.“All documents for changing the status of cities and villages are considered by the commission based on the decisions of local councils and residents. The region submits changes for consideration. The commission discusses the issue, and if the decision is positive, the state agency develops a draft law for submission to the cabinet of ministers. After that, the draft is sent to the Jogorku Kenesh, and if the parliament supports it, it goes for the president's signature. Once signed, the law comes into force,” she explained.
When asked about the necessity of holding a referendum, Isalieva noted that the current legislation — the Law "On the Administrative-Territorial Structure of the Kyrgyz Republic" — defines the described procedure.
What could become an obstacle?
According to Article 6 of the Law "On the Administrative-Territorial Structure of the Kyrgyz Republic," a settlement may be classified as a city of republican significance if it has special state significance or is an administrative, economic, and cultural center, with the necessary production and social infrastructure and a population of at least 250,000 people. In such cities, special methods of organizing local self-government may be established, and their powers may differ from those of other settlements.The status of a city of republican significance is determined by law.
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Art. 6 of the Law "On the Administrative-Territorial Structure of the Kyrgyz Republic".
However, it is precisely the requirement for population size that may become an obstacle to granting Manas the status of a city of republican significance. Why is that?
The press service of the Manas mayor's office Kaktus.media also noted that the population of the city before the administrative-territorial reform was 130,392 people, and after the reform, it was 184,400 people.Considering the permanent population and natural growth, the number of residents does not reach 200,000 people, while the law requires at least 250,000 people. However, by 2026, as Tashiev indicated, it is possible that the population of the country and Manas in particular will grow to the required level, considering calls for increased birth rates from the deputy head of the cabinet.
