Formerly communist Kyrgyzstan is the only country in its authoritarian neighbourhood to host genuinely competitive presidential elections. To the north of the mountainous Central Asian republic lies Kazakhstan, which has been ruled by 77-year-old autocrat Nursultan Nazarbayev since before its independence in 1991. To its south is Tajikistan, whose dictator of more than two decades Emomali Rakhmon came to power during a civil war and stayed put. To its west is Uzbekistan, where the regime of late despot Islam Karimov was widely reported to boil dissidents. To its east is China, which has been under the rule of the Chinese Communist Party since 1949. If Kyrgyzstan's vote goes smoothly it should ensure the first peaceful transfer of power between two elected presidents in the republic of six million. The country's first two presidents were overthrown in revolutions while the country's third “interim” president was not elected, but endorsed by referendum. Here are 14 tweets to provide readers outside Kyrgyzstan with an idea of some of the themes that have characterized this vote. Like in any election, but particularly because Kyrgyz votes are associated with political instability, some can't wait to see it end. The main character in this video is pursued home by an agitator asking him to vote for a specific candidate: “Ugh! I'm so sick of this! When will the elections be over already!?” The message at the end of the video reads: “Elections 2017. Hopefully they will end peacefully!!!” #ш2017 тажаттыңар ? pic.twitter.com/mUaMxKq0Ry — Kanatbek Sh. (@KanatbekS) October 14, 2017 The state monster, to be exact. This voice-overed video depicts pro-government candidate Sooronbai Jeenbekov as the Incredible Hulk emboldened by the machinery of government (or what are referred to in the ex-Soviet region as “administrative resources”) with his main challenger oligarch Omurbek Babanov struggling to compete. Their dialogue in the Kyrgyz language runs as follows: Babanov: “I am Babanov and [neighbouring Kazakhstan's ruler] Nazarbaev is backing me. I will buy people with my money. I will buy you all too.” Jeenbekov: “And I am Sooronbai. I am Sooronbai. I am Sooronobai.” #шайлоо2017 pic.twitter.com/0xPbNkQhCS — Батус (@S0u1_Keeper) September 24, 2017 It depends who you speak to. Some say he is a ruthless and slimy former oil trader with connections to criminals. Others argue he is the reform-oriented progressive politician capable of lifting Kyrgyzstan out of its long post-Soviet stagnation. At any rate, he looks good with a dove. Омурбек Бабанов: Пусть в Кыргызстане будет мир и процветание! https://t.co/EqW4TnZPta pic.twitter.com/BPgqVHarbP — Vitalyi Iskakov (@VitalyiIskakov) October 10, 2017 Omurbek Babanov: Let there be peace and prosperity in Kyrgyzstan! Продавец газетами зашел в СлимФит в очень хорошем настроении и всем девушкам предлагает газеты “Бабанова любишь?” #ш2017 pic.twitter.com/q5CHUZiJ3w — Edil Baisalov (@baisalov) October 13, 2017 A newspaper salesman just came into [a cafe] in a very good mood, offering girls newspapers. “Do you love Babanov?” Супер момент с семьей! @BabanovOmurbek #ш2017 pic.twitter.com/IFggwMQcLS — Edil Baisalov (@baisalov) October 13, 2017 What a moment with his family! #СуперАта #СуперПапа – это и мой отец :). И вот почему:https://t.co/fkZmeaPiVd pic.twitter.com/T9hq4tyefv — Омурбек Бабанов (@BabanovOmurbek) June 16, 2017 #SuperPapa – is my father. Here is why: https://www.facebook.com/omurbek.babanov/posts/804123763102068 On top of being backed by the state machine, Jeenbekov has his supporters. Here he is pictured in a hat to the left of Aida Kasymaliyeva, a popular former journalist and MP in the ruling Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan. Jeenbekov's supporters say they like the fact he is unflashy and committed to hard work and stability. #ш2017 pic.twitter.com/EZ4YmD5nAv — Aida Kasymalieva (@a_kasymalieva) October 5, 2017 A bit like this. Here a media outlet claims citizens are being bussed to polls to vote for Jeenbekov. More seriously, supporters of Babanov have been arrested in the run-up to the vote. Nevertheless, the actual count is expected to be fairer than in previous presidential elections thanks to the use of biometric technology. Фото. Подвоз избирателей в пользу Жээнбекова https://t.co/jH2844kzrI #ш2017 #шайлоо2017 pic.twitter.com/BYsCee59Iz — Kloop (@kloopnews) October 15, 2017 Bussing in favour of Jeenbekov. Yes, on all sides. And exposing it is a dangerous business for journalists. Another journalist assaulted in #Osh trying to film the distribution of cash to voters. #Kyrgyzstan https://t.co/OBy5gm9CvC — DeirdreTynan (@DeirdreTynan) October 15, 2017 Of course, and thanks to them it could go to a second round.