BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, Oct. 11 (UPI) -- National conduct during parliamentary elections in Kyrgyzstan during the weekend was impressive, international observers said.
Kyrgyz voters took to the polls Sunday to pick their first parliament since Kurmanbek Bakiyev was ousted by supporters of Roza Otunbayeva in an April coup.
Morten Hoglund, the special coordinator for the Kyrgyz election observer mission with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, said the peaceful election was a reflection of the will of the people to turn a new page.
"I was impressed by the political pluralism, the civic responsibility and the spirit of the people of this country," he said in a statement.
The OSCE said political parties were able to campaign freely and fundamental civic freedoms were respected during the voting process. The Kyrgyz capital was the site of tense political demonstrations last week, though Otunbayeva said there was no reason to postpone the vote.
UPI
