BEIJING, July 10 -- Voters in the Central Asian country of Kyrgyzstan are going to the polls on Sunday for the country's presidential election.

    Widely tipped to win is Interim President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, an electrical engineer and former prime minister. He was swept to power as protestors stormed the seat of government in March, prompting former President Akayev to flee to Russia.

    Bakiyev has secured himself a near-certain victory by neutralizing the threat posed by his main rival, the ex-security boss and former political prisoner Felix Kulov. Kulov has exited the race on a promise that he will be made prime minister.

    Ahead of the vote, a number of other candidates were knocked out on technicalities. Bakiyev is now competing against five virtually unknown candidates who have barely campaigned at all.

    Former President Askar Akayev, who was ousted during violent protests in March, has been granted immunity in Kyrgyzstan. He signed a letter of resignation at the Kyrgyz Embassy in Moscow. Enditem

(Source: CRIENGLISH.com/Photo: Reuters)