Turnout at Kyrgyzstan Constitution Referendum Passes Validity Threshold

Kyrgyzstan’s Central Election Commission (CEC) has declared a referendum on constitutional changes valid, in a statement published Sunday.

BISHKEK (Sputnik) – The CEC estimates 30.41 percent of eligible voters have cast their ballots as of 6 p.m. local time (12:00GMT).

A turnout of at least 30 percent is required for the referendum to be valid and a simple majority will be sufficient for the constitutional changes to pass.

Amendments seek to create a system of checks and balances between branches of the government and strengthen the parliament after the ouster of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev in 2010.