A double referendum was held in

Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan,, pronounced or the Kyrgyz Republic, is a landlocked country in Central Asia. Kyrgyzstan is bordered by Kazakhstan to the north, Uzbekistan to the west, Tajikistan to the south, and the People's Republic of China to the east. ...

on 2 February 2003. Voters were asked whether they approved of amendments to the constitution, and whether President

Askar Akayev Askar Akayevich Akayev ( ky, Аскар Акаевич (Акай уулу) Акаев, translit=Askar Akayevich (Akay Uulu) Akayev ; ; born 10 November 1944) is a Kyrgyz politician who served as President of Kyrgyzstan from 1990 until being ov ...

should be allowed to remain in office until 2005. Both were approved by wide margins.Kirgisistan, 2. Februar 2003 : Verfassungsreform
Direct Democracy

Background

The proposed amendments to the constitution would increase the powers of the

President President most commonly refers to: *President (corporate title) *President (education), a leader of a college or university *President (government title) President may also refer to: Automobiles * Nissan President, a 1966–2010 Japanese ful ...

, decrease the powers of the Supreme Council, and make several other changes to the Council, including making it unicameral and reducing the total number of seats in the two houses from 105 to 75 in a single house. They also reduced the role of the Constitutional Court, although gave it the power to oversee the constitutionality of political parties, social organisations and religious organisations.Election Profile
IFES

Results

Constitutional amendments

President Akayev to remain in office until 2005

References

{{Kyrgyzstani elections 2003 in Kyrgyzstan 2003 referendums Referendums in Kyrgyzstan Constitutional referendums in Kyrgyzstan