2010-06-28 00:31

BISHKEK - Kyrgyzstan's voters approved on Sunday a new draft constitution for the country, interim leader Roza Otunbayeva said in a news conference after the referendum.

"This is a historical day, we have adopted a new Constitution," Otunbayeva said.

More than 65 percent of registered voters took part in the referendum, according to the turnout data published by the Kyrgyz Central Election Commission (CEC).

According to preliminary results based on 11 percent of ballots from 125 polling stations, more than 60 percent of voters supported the new charter, said the CEC.  

However, the official final results will not be announced before Monday.

"With the adoption of the new constitution, in Kyrgyzstan comes a transition period president. I am receiving the powers of a transition period president and I will also lead the government," Otunbayeva said.

"Kyrgyzstan now has legitimate authorities, and this is no longer an interim government, but a legitimate government," she added.

She said a new parliamentary election will be called soon and all legitimate branches will be fully formed this autumn.