Ruling party heads for victory in Kyrgyzstan

The ruling party’s candidate in the Kyrgyzstan presidential election appeared to be headed for victory last night.

Sooronbay Jeenbekov was expected to take about 55 per cent of the vote after the results from 95 per cent of polling stations had been counted. In second place was Ömürbek Babanov, one of the richest people in the central Asian republic.

Both served as prime ministers under Almazbek Atambayev, the outgoing president.