Azernews.Az

BISHKEK – International vote monitors have hailed the result of the weekend parliamentary election in Kyrgyzstan, Radio Liberty reported.

"Political pluralism, a vibrant campaign, and confidence in the central commission for elections or referenda characterized these elections," Morten Hoeglund, a coordinator of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) observer mission to Kyrgyzstan, told reporters in Bishkek. "Fundamental freedoms, including the freedoms of expression, assembly and association were generally respected."

According to preliminary results, five parties appear to have gained seats in parliament. The opposition nationalist Ata-Jurt party had a narrow lead, followed by the Social Democratic Party, the pro-Russia Ar-Namys, Respublika, and the pro-government Ata-Meken.

The voting on October 10 came just months after clashes between ethnic Kyrgyz and Uzbeks in the south of the country left hundreds of people dead and thousands homeless in June.

Under recent changes to the constitution, the parliament will have the right to approve a government and appoint a prime minister.

The changes are aimed to make Kyrgyzstan the first parliamentary republic in Central Asia, where power is usually held by authoritarian leaders.