Kyrgyz Legislators Set New Date For Elections

Kyrgyz parliamentarians today took further steps to erase the remnants of ousted President Askar Akayev's rule as they set 26 June as the date for new presidential polls. Lawmaker Iskhak Masaliev announced the decision to reporters immediately after the voting by members of the outgoing, bicameral Kyrgyz parliament. "It has been decided to hold [early presidential] elections on June 26," he said. "The presidential elections will be held on June 26 of this year. This is exact, exact." Parliamentarians reached the agreement in the presence of Kurmanbek Bakiev, who earlier this week was named interim leader to succeed ousted President Askar Akaev. Bakiev today announced that he will run in the June presidential poll. Akaev reportedly fled the country after protesters stormed the government headquarters in Bishkek on 24 March. His whereabouts remain unknown.