Syimyk Zhapykeev passes Kyrgyz language test on second try for presidential bid

Former head of Kyrgyzstan's financial police Syimyk Zhapykeev says he has passed the state language exam required to run in the presidential election.

Zhapykeev said he received 63 points for an essay on "El birimdigi" ("Unity of the people"). On October 8 he had taken the test at the state institution Kyrgyztest but did not reach the required score. He passed part of the tasks but failed the written section, and he later questioned the objectivity of the assessment. He retook the essay test on October 22, saying he prepared more thoroughly and found the topic closer to him.

Zhapykeev says he has gathered the documents needed for nomination and prepared 1 million soms for the election deposit. Once he receives the language certificate, he intends to submit his papers to the Central Election Commission. Candidates must show at least "upper intermediate" knowledge of the state language. Nominations run until November 13, 2026, and the presidential election is scheduled for January 27, 2027.