Kyrgyzstan’s parliamentary election boosts president’s clout

Kyrgyzstan’s President Sadyr Zhaparov prepares to cast his ballot at a polling station in Bishkek during the parliamentary elections (Vladimir Voronin/AP)

Voters have backed parties supporting the country’s new president in Kyrgyzstan’s parliamentary election, according to early results, just over a year after a forceful change of government in the ex-Soviet Central Asian nation.

President Sadyr Zhaparov, who was elected in January following protests that ousted his predecessor, had expected Sunday’s ballot to further cement his grip on power.