Moscow, Nov 29 (AP) Kyrgyzstan held a parliamentary election Sunday just over a year after a forceful change of government in the ex-Soviet Central Asian nation and voters backed parties supporting the country's new president, according to early results.

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

Also Read | Taliban Claims to Build Independent Afghanistan’s Air Force Despite Financial Crisis.

With over 97 percent of precincts counted, three blocs all supporting Zhaparov emerged as the top vote-getters. Some opposition parties quickly challenged the results, accusing authorities of vote-rigging.

Kyrgyzstan, a mountainous landlocked nation of 6.5 million people that borders China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, is a member of Russia-dominated economic and security alliances. It hosts a Russian air base and depends on Moscow's financial support.

Also Read | China May Face 'Colossal' COVID-19 Outbreak If It Opens Up Like US, France, Says Study.

Zhaparov was serving an 11 1/2-year sentence on charges of abducting a regional governor amid a dispute over a gold mine when he was freed by stone-hurling supporters who challenged the results of the October 2020 parliamentary election.

Last year's unrest marked the third violent ouster of the country's leader in 15 years. Like uprisings that toppled presidents in 2005 and 2010, the 2020 turmoil was driven by clan rivalries that shape the country's politics.

After his election, Zhaparov pushed for a referendum that approved a new Constitution that substantially increased presidential powers at the expense of parliament. It reduced the size of the country's parliament from 120 to 90 seats and gave the president the power to appoint judges and the heads of law enforcement agencies.

In Sunday's vote, 54 seats are filled by party lists and the remaining 36 are filled by single-ballot races.

With more than 97 percent of the precincts counted, the Ata-Zhurt (Homeland Kyrgyzstan), Ishenim (Faith) and Yntymak (Harmony) blocs were leading the race with about 16 percent, 13 percent and 11 percent of the vote on party lists respectively, according to the Central Election Commission. All three blocs have been loyal to Zhaparov.

Zhaparov quickly agreed to the demand to do the recount, saying that all ballots should remain at precincts until it's completed. In a statement on Facebook, he insisted that the authorities didn't meddle in the vote, and promised that the Central Election Commission members will be brought to justice if it's found that they tinkered with the count. (AP)

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)