31/10/2011 12:26
Almazbek Atambayev new president of Kyrgyzstan
Almazbek Atambayev has claimed victory in Kyrgyzstan's presidential election after winning an overwhelming share of votes in the weekend polls.
Campaign spokesman Kadyr Toktogulov said Atambayev secured broad support across the central Asian nation, quelling widely voiced fears that the election could expose regional tensions, the guardian reports.
"Atambayev secured a national victory," campaign spokesman Kadyr Toktogulov said.
But opponents cast doubt on the preliminary result from nearly 99 percent of precincts showing Atambayev with more than 63 percent — well above the simple majority needed to avoid a runoff, the Association Press reports.