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Kyrgyz vote in presidential poll Kyrgyz candidate in poll pullout
(about 5 hours later)
Polls have opened for presidential elections in the Central Asian republic of Kyrgyzstan. The main opposition candidate in Kyrgyzstan's presidential election, Almazbek Atambayev, has pulled out on polling day, claiming widespread fraud.
There are six candidates running for the top job, including the incumbent Kurmanbek Bakiyev. Mr Atambayev said the vote, in which President Kurmanbek Bakiyev is running for a second term, was illegitimate and a new election should be held.
Kyrgyzstan is the only state in Central Asia to have a so-called colour revolution, when a previous president was removed in a popular uprising. The US and Russia both have military bases in the strategically important Central Asian nation.
That happened in 2005, but four years on the country finds itself in a different political environment. Mr Bakiyev is widely expected to hold on to the presidency.
Among the six candidates two are real contenders, Mr Bakiyev and the main opposition candidate, Almazbek Atambayev, who have both been campaigning across the country. According to Reuters, an opposition rally of 1,000 people in Balykchi was broken up by riot police.
Kyrgyzstan's geography interests Russia, China and the United States The police fired shots in the air and used batons to disperse the crowd, according to a spokesman for Mr Atambayev, Reuters said.
Over 500 international observers are expected to monitor the process. "Due to massive, unprecedented violations, we consider these elections illegitimate," Mr Atambayev told a news conference.
Out of five million Kyrgyz citizens, more than half are eligible voters. Previous polls under Mr Bakiyev have been criticised
But analysts say the turnout could be low, citing apathy and mistrust of the election process. He earlier said he planned to lead a march to the election commission later in the evening, when preliminary results are to be announced.
Previous polls under Mr Bakiyev have been criticised by international monitors. "We will not be defeated," Mr Atambayev said after casting his ballot.
The situation contrasts with that of 2005 when he came to power following the so-called Tulip revolution. He won a landslide victory gaining almost 90% of the vote. "People will march in an organised way... We will wait until this evening and then people will decide what to do for themselves."
But four years on his critics say his government has curbed free speech and become increasingly repressive. Security tight
His main opponent Mr Atambayev promises to fight corruption and reduce the president's powers. With Mr Atambayev out of the running, there are now five candidates, including Mr Bakiyev.
Mr Bakiyev says his policies are aimed at gaining as much as possible for the people of Kyrgyzstan, but it remains one of the poorest economies in the former Soviet Union. His opponents have accused him of stifling dissent and tightening his grip on power.
Mr Bakiyev issued a warning to potential demonstrators, saying: "We will suppress, within the limits of the law, any attempts to organise disorder."
Security is tight across Kyrgyzstan, with 5,000 officers deployed around the country and extra measures in the potentially restive areas of the Ferghana valley.
The US and Nato use the Manas airbase in Kyrgyzstan to supply their troops in Afghanistan, and will be watching intently for any signs of political instability, analysts say.
Kyrgyzstan is the only state in Central Asia to have had a so-called "colour" revolution, when a previous president was removed in a popular uprising.
That happened in 2005, but four years on the country finds itself in a different political environment, according to the BBC's Rayhan Demetrie in Bishkek.
President Bakiyev - who took power after the Tulip revolution with 90% of the vote - has campaigned on a platform of stability.
Out of five million Kyrgyz citizens, more than half are eligible voters. By midday, about 40% had cast their ballots, election officials said.
But analysts say the overall turnout could be low, citing apathy and mistrust of the election process.