Kirgyz elections in October

Kirgyzstan's new interim Government said Thursday it would hold a referendum on a new constitution on July 27 and elections for Parliament and President on October 10.

The dates were announced on national television by Interim Government Deputy Head Omurbek Tekebayev, which took power two weeks ago in a popular uprising which ousted President Kurmanbek Bakiyev.

The United States and European Union had urged the interim Government to hold elections in order to restore stability in Kirgyzstan. Tekebayev said the new constitution to be presented to voters in the July 27 referendum would make Kirgyzstan a Parliamentary republic, reduce the powers of the President and prevent authoritarianism.

"In the new draft, the state and political system will be set up to prevent concentration of power in one hands," Tekebayev said.AFP