Voters in Kyrgyzstan went to polls Sunday for a constitutional referendum widely expected to see incumbent leader Sadyr Japarov's powers expanded while allowing him to run for office a second time.

Japarov, a 52-year-old populist, has brushed aside political opponents since coming to power on the back of an October political crisis in which he was first released from jail by supporters, beginning a dizzying rise to the leadership.

He confirmed his dominance by posting a landslide victory in a presidential election in January that also saw voters indicate a preference for presidential over parliamentary rule in a parallel vote, boosting his drive to overhaul the basic law. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Two of his opponents on the ballot and a former prime minister were arrested in the weeks after the vote as Japarov and his allies further cemented their control. &nbsp;

The new leader's proposed constitutional amendments promise a presidency in line with impoverished Kyrgyzstan's Central Asian neighbours, ending a decade-long experiment with a mixed system.

Local critics have dubbed the draft document a "khanstitution" for its expansion of presidential powers of appointment at the expense of parliament, which will be downsized from 120 to 90 lawmakers if the changes pass.&nbsp;

The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Council of Europe's Venice Commission criticised the lack of "meaningful and inclusive public consultations and debate in parliament" before the basic law was put to the people in a joint opinion published in March.

The two bodies also raised fears over the "overly prominent role and prerogatives of the President". &nbsp;

President Vladimir Putin of Russia, a key ally, expressed support for the constitutional drive in February when Japarov went to Moscow in his first foreign visit, saying that he hoped it would bring stability to the country of 6.5 million.&nbsp;

Japarov's predecessor, Sooronbay Jeenbekov, became the third Kyrgyz president to resign during a political crisis since the country's independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 last October.

If voters back the draft constitution, presidents including Japarov will be able to run in consecutive elections once more, reversing the single-term limit imposed on leaders during an overhaul of the basic law in 2010. &nbsp;

That change was championed as a safeguard against entrenchment after two revolutions in the space of five years unseated authoritarian leaders and their powerful families.&nbsp;

Voting in the referendum began at 0200 GMT and will conclude at 1400 GMT with results expected shortly after polls close and a 30 per cent turnout required to validate the election.&nbsp;

Voters in Kyrgyzstan went to polls Sunday for a constitutional referendum widely expected to see incumbent leader Sadyr Japarov's powers expanded while allowing him to run for office a second time.

Voters in Kyrgyzstan went to polls Sunday for a constitutional referendum widely expected to see incumbent leader Sadyr Japarov's powers expanded while allowing him to run for office a second time. Japarov, a 52-year-old populist, has brushed aside political opponents since coming to power on the back of an October political crisis in which he was first released from jail by supporters, beginning a dizzying rise to the leadership. He confirmed his dominance by posting a landslide victory in a presidential election in January that also saw voters indicate a preference for presidential over parliamentary rule in a parallel vote, boosting his drive to overhaul the basic law. Two of his opponents on the ballot and a former prime minister were arrested in the weeks after the vote as Japarov and his allies further cemented their control. The new leader's proposed constitutional amendments promise a presidency in line with impoverished Kyrgyzstan's Central Asian neighbours, ending a decade-long experiment with a mixed system. Local critics have dubbed the draft document a "khanstitution" for its expansion of presidential powers of appointment at the expense of parliament, which will be downsized from 120 to 90 lawmakers if the changes pass. The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Council of Europe's Venice Commission criticised the lack of "meaningful and inclusive public consultations and debate in parliament" before the basic law was put to the people in a joint opinion published in March. The two bodies also raised fears over the "overly prominent role and prerogatives of the President". President Vladimir Putin of Russia, a key ally, expressed support for the constitutional drive in February when Japarov went to Moscow in his first foreign visit, saying that he hoped it would bring stability to the country of 6.5 million. Japarov's predecessor, Sooronbay Jeenbekov, became the third Kyrgyz president to resign during a political crisis since the country's independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 last October. If voters back the draft constitution, presidents including Japarov will be able to run in consecutive elections once more, reversing the single-term limit imposed on leaders during an overhaul of the basic law in 2010. That change was championed as a safeguard against entrenchment after two revolutions in the space of five years unseated authoritarian leaders and their powerful families. Voting in the referendum began at 0200 GMT and will conclude at 1400 GMT with results expected shortly after polls close and a 30 per cent turnout required to validate the election.

Kyrgyz vote on constitution boosting presidential powers

The Nationalist Politician Sadyr Japarov has won by a landslide in Kyrgyzstan's presidential election, one triggered by the collapse of the previous government.

Kyrgyzstan choose their next leader & new political system

Kyrgyz Prime Minister Sadyr Japarov said on Thursday he would step down as acting president of the Central Asian nation in the coming days in order to run in the January 10 presidential election.

Parliamentary speaker Talant Mamytov, a close ally of the prime minister, will take over as acting head of state in line with the constitution, Japarov told a news briefing.

The former Soviet republic, known for its political volatility, is closely allied with Moscow and hosts a Russian military airbase. Its constitution bars caretaker leaders from running in the presidential elections that they oversee.

Japarov, a 51-year-old nationalist politician, came to power after violent protests over a parliamentary election last month toppled the government of President Sooronbai Jeenbekov.

He had initially planned to delay the presidential election until after a planned constitutional reform, but Thursday's announcement indicated that was no longer an option.

Protests have toppled three Kyrgyz leaders over the last 15 years, but Japarov has said that last month's revolt would change nothing in Bishkek's "strategic" relations with Moscow.

On Thursday, he promised not to contest the results of the January vote in the event of his loss and to stop his supporters from taking to the streets.

"We need a clean vote," he said. "(Rigged votes) were the reason why we have had three revolutions."

Kyrgyz Prime Minister Sadyr Japarov said on Thursday he would step down as acting president of the Central Asian nation in the coming days in order to run in the January 10 presidential election.

Kyrgyz Prime Minister Sadyr Japarov said on Thursday he would step down as acting president of the Central Asian nation in the coming days in order to run in the January 10 presidential election. Parliamentary speaker Talant Mamytov, a close ally of the prime minister, will take over as acting head of state in line with the constitution, Japarov told a news briefing. The former Soviet republic, known for its political volatility, is closely allied with Moscow and hosts a Russian military airbase. Its constitution bars caretaker leaders from running in the presidential elections that they oversee. Japarov, a 51-year-old nationalist politician, came to power after violent protests over a parliamentary election last month toppled the government of President Sooronbai Jeenbekov. He had initially planned to delay the presidential election until after a planned constitutional reform, but Thursday's announcement indicated that was no longer an option. Protests have toppled three Kyrgyz leaders over the last 15 years, but Japarov has said that last month's revolt would change nothing in Bishkek's "strategic" relations with Moscow. On Thursday, he promised not to contest the results of the January vote in the event of his loss and to stop his supporters from taking to the streets. "We need a clean vote," he said. "(Rigged votes) were the reason why we have had three revolutions."

Kyrgyzstan PM to step down as acting president, run in election

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Kyrgyz vote on constitution boosting presidential powers

Kyrgyzstan choose their next leader & new political system

Kyrgyzstan PM to step down as acting president, run in election