(10-31) 03:34 PDT BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (AP) --
The front-runner in Kyrgyzstan's presidential election claimedvictory Monday after preliminary results showed he had garnered anoverwhelming share of votes, but opponents cried foul and refused toconcede defeat.
Campaigners for Almazbek Atambayev said he secured broad supportacross the former Soviet Central Asian nation, showing that fears of theelection exposing interregional tensions were unfounded.
His rivals, however, questioned results from nearly 99 percent ofprecincts showing Atambayev with more than 63 percent — well above thesimple majority needed to avoid a runoff.
International observers on Monday praised Kyrgyzstan for its widechoice of candidates and for conducting an open and free campaign, butcriticized irregularities on election day, especially during thecounting and tabulation of votes.
The main challengers — Kamchibek Tashiyev and Adakhan Madumarov —both nationalists from the southern part of the country, have pointed atalleged violations, including ballot box stuffing and repeat voting.
"We are willing to adopt all legal methods in order to protect ourvotes," Madumarov said Sunday. He and other candidates also complainedto journalists that tens of thousands of people had been excluded fromthe electoral register.
The international community is hoping for a smooth handover asinterim President Roza Otunbayeva, appointed as caretaker leader in a2010 referendum, steps down. Both the United States and Russia maintainmilitary air bases in the country, with the U.S. relying on theirs as acore logistics hub for operations in nearby Afghanistan.
"Despite flaws with the voters lists and tabulation processes, we arecautiously optimistic about the future of democracy in Kyrgyzstan,"said Walburga Habsburg Douglas, the head of the Organization forSecurity and Cooperation in Europe's observer mission. "Significant workis still needed at all levels for this country to live up to itscommitments to hold democratic elections."
The OSCE noted cases of ballot box stuffing, multiple and familyvoting, vote buying, and bussing of voters. It said that the situationdeteriorated during counting and tabulation, adding that in some casesprotocols were altered or completed by higher-level commissions.
Tashiyev's and Madumarov's showings in the election fell considerablyshort of expectations, with each capturing less than 15 percent so far.That contrasted with many observers' predictions of a second roundpitting northerner Atambayev against one of the two candidates from thesouth.
Southern Kyrgyzstan, a major area for Afghan heroin trafficking, wasdevastated last summer by deadly ethnic clashes that killed almost 500people, mainly ethnic Uzbeks. As the ethnic violence fueled communaltensions within the country, Tashiyev and Madumarov saw their supportbases grow.
But Atambayev was seen as the front-runner, thanks to a well-fundedcampaign and national prominence from serving as prime minister untilSeptember and raising state salaries and pensions.
A new constitution limits the new president to a single six-yearterm. Atambayev has hinted that he may seek further constitutionaladjustments if he wins the office, but has given no details.