Former Soviet states accused of massive electoral fraud

PARLIAMENTARY elections have passed off peacefully in Kyrgyzstan despite opposition claims of vote rigging, electoral fraud and media manipulation in the Central Asian state.

The capital Bishkek last night was calm and Ukraine-style mass demonstrations failed to materialise. However Roza Otunbayeva, leader of the Ata-Zhurt (Fatherland) opposition party, has insisted the polls are flawed.

“The elections are unfair and are likely be followed by a wave of popular protests,” she said.