Kyrgyzstan prepares for election

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, Dec. 15 (UPI) -- Voters in Kyrgyzstan are preparing to elect a new parliament in a general election that some fear could bring more political unrest.

President Kurmanbek Bakiyev called for elections after overhauling the national constitution and launching his own party, Ak Zhol, which is expected to win, BBC reported Saturday.

Bakiyev's critics say he is laying the groundwork for an authoritarian government. Supporters, however, say the constitutional changes will make the nation more democratic.

Sunday's election is the first parliamentary vote in the former Soviet republic since 2005, when election abuses led to the mass protests that ultimately drove President Askar Akayev from power.

Opposition groups have promised to take to the streets if there is any election fraud.