Kyrgyzstan referendum 'transparent and peaceful'

International observers today praised Kyrgyzstan’s constitutional referendum, saying the vote was conducted in a transparent and remarkably peaceful manner despite a lingering climate of fear after ethnic purges.

While the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) recognised some shortcomings in the vote, its approval was the final stamp of legitimacy for the interim authorities who came to power after President Kurmanbek Bakiyev was ousted in mass protests in April.