Bishkek - Kyrgyzstan's opposition Communist Party is easily leading in a count of ballot papers cast during yesterday's legislative election, with more than 26 per cent of the vote, according to preliminary results from the Central Election Commission.
Pro-government parties trailed well behind with eight per cent of the vote tallied. Opponents of President Askar Akayev and international observers criticised the poll, which they said was restricted to parties favourable to Mr Akayev or, like the Communist Party, weak in their opposition. The election marked the first time since the central Asian republic of five million people gained independence in 1991 that voters were able to choose legislators based on party affiliation.