Voters in Kyrgyzstan began to vote Sunday at 0800 local time (0100 GMT) in the parliamentary election which is expected to create the first parliamentary democracy in Central Aisa.

There are 2,200 polling stations across the country and 2.8 million registered voters, accounting for over half of Kyrgyzstan's population, according to official figures.

The Kyrgyz Central Election Commission has accredited 850 international observers from 52 countries and 32 organizations to monitor the election.

A total of 29 political parties are competing for 120 seats in the new government in which the prime minister will have more power than the president.

Analysts predict only six parties have a realistic chance to get into parliament.

According to the election rules, seats will be distributed proportionately to parties winning at least 5 percent of the vote nationwide and at least 0.5 percent of the vote in each of Kyrgyzstan's administrative regions and two key cities. This is designed to prevent a party from winning representation if it lacks broad nationwide support.

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