Zhaparov's seduction of the people Polls have opened as Kyrgyzstan votes for a new president and on constitutional change. In autumn, protests brought down the government – now the freedoms they fought for are at stake. Emily Sherwin reports from Bishkek. All around Kyrgyzstan's capital, Bishkek, one name dominates presidential campaign posters: Sadyr Zhaparov. The politician peers down from banners and his advertisements flash on screens. One video shows hands – clearly Zhaparov's – taking apart the mechanism of a watch completely, before putting it back together again, restarting time. Another shows a muddle of hands playing a fast game of chess, until one hand sweeps the board clear.