Japarov set for landslide win in Kyrgyzstan vote

The frontrunner in Kyrgyzstan's presidential election, Sadyr Japarov, appears to have won by a landslide, preliminary results suggest.

With most ballots counted, partial results show him with almost 80%, reports BBC.

Mr Japarov, who has served time in prison for taking a rival politician hostage, could also enjoy sweeping new presidential powers following a vote to amend the constitution.

Kyrgyzstan has been in crisis since parliamentary elections last October.

The results of those elections were disputed, leading to protests and the resignation of then-President Sooronbay Jeenbekov.

In a victory speech at his campaign headquarters in the capital Bishkek on Sunday, Mr Japarov promised to rule the country with an open government free of corruption.

"We will not repeat the mistakes of the previous government," he said. "Over the past 30 years, corruption has taken root in our country in almost every area of our life - from now on, we will not tolerate such outrageousness."

He also said he would aim to "rectify" Kyrgyzstan's economic issues "within three to five years". The country has seen surging unemployment in recent years, forcing many young people to look abroad for work.