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Kyrgyzstan votes for new president in historic election Kyrgyzstan votes for new president in historic election
(about 9 hours later)
Voters in the central Asian country of Kyrgyzstan are choosing a new president in an election that is unusual for the region because it is unpredictable. Kyrgyzstan has held a presidential election that is unusual for Central Asia because it is unpredictable.
One of the front runners, Sooronbai Jeenbekov, is backed by outgoing leader Almazbek Atambayev, who is reaching the end of a six-year term. One of the frontrunners, Sooronbai Jeenbekov, is backed by outgoing leader Almazbek Atambayev, who has reached the end of a six-year term.
He and the other favourite, Omurbek Babanov, are former prime ministers.He and the other favourite, Omurbek Babanov, are former prime ministers.
Western diplomats are "inclined to believe" the election will be free and fair, says a BBC correspondent. Western diplomats regard the vote as broadly free and fair, analysts say - although there have been reports of violations by some candidates.
But since the beginning of the campaign, there have been numerous reports of violations by various candidates. Kyrgyzstan, a former Soviet republic, has remained a close ally of Moscow since independence in 1991, and hosts a Russian military base.
Kyrgyzstan, which has been independent since the fall of the Soviet Union, is a nation of six million people. Its first two post-Soviet presidents were swept from power by popular discontent. Its first two post-Soviet presidents were swept from power by popular discontent. The two main contenders in Sunday's poll favour continued links with Russia.
The poll is historic because for the first time in the history of Kyrgyzstan an elected president is due to peacefully hand over power after the election, says BBC Central Asia reporter Abdujalil Abdurasulov. If no candidate wins outright with more than 50% of the vote, a run-off will be held.
However, the election been overshadowed by a row over alleged interference from neighbouring Kazakhstan. The election been overshadowed by a row over allegations of interference from neighbouring Kazakhstan.
Mr Atambayev angered Astana by saying Mr Babanov, a charismatic businessman who made his money there, was the Kazakh choice for the new president. He has denied that he is backed by them. The current Kyrgyz president, Almazbek Atambayev, angered the Kazakh authorities by saying Mr Babanov, a businessman who made his money there, was their choice for the new president. He has denied that he is backed by them.
In response Kazakhstan tightened customs checks at the border, leading to long queues.In response Kazakhstan tightened customs checks at the border, leading to long queues.
The country's presidents are restricted to a single six-year term under a constitution that has been in force since 2010. Kyrgyz presidents are restricted to a single six-year term under a constitution that has been in force since 2010.