BISHKEK, Oct 21, 2007 (AFP) - Some 80 percent of Kyrgyzstan's voters went to the polls Sunday in a referendum on a new constitution that would weaken the president's powers in a bid to end years of political upheaval.

The 2.7 million registered voters in the Central Asian state turned out in force to pronounce on the reforms which would strengthen parliament in the former Soviet republic, a surprise as analysts had warned that turnout may be low.

ANKARA, Oct 21, 2007 (AFP) - Turks on Sunday resoundingly approved sweeping constitutional reforms to elect the country's president by popular vote and to stage general elections elections every four years.

Turkey's High Electoral Board said that with all of the votes counted in the nationwide referendum, 69.1 percent backed the government-sponsored changes while 30.8 percent voted against.

But turnout was 67.3 percent, far lower than the 85 percent recorded in general elections on July 22, the board said.

ANKARA, Oct 21, 2007 (AFP) - A majority of Turks who voted Sunday approved constitutional reforms to elect the country's president by popular vote, according to results announced by the High Electoral Board.

The board said that with 97.5 percent of ballot boxes opened, 69.4 percent of voters approved the reforms package, while 30.5 percent voted against.

Turnout was 64.8 percent, the board added.

ANKARA, Oct 21, 2007 (AFP) - Nearly 72 percent of Turks who voted Sunday said 'yes' to constitutional reforms that provide for the election of the president by popular vote, according to partial results announced by the High Electoral Board.

The board said the results came from 45.4 percent of ballot boxes opened.

Voter turnout was a mere 28.1 percent, the board said, the same percentage as 'no' votes against the reform package, which was drawn up by the ruling Justice and Development Party.

ANKARA, Oct 21, 2007 (AFP) - Vote counting has begun across Turkey as polls closed in Sunday's referendum on constitutional reforms that would provide for the election of the president by popular vote.

The polling stations, which had opened at 7:00 a.m. (0400 GMT) in the east of the country and an hour later in the west of the country, closed at 5:00 pm (1400 GMT).

No results or projections can be given before 9:00 pm (1800 GMT) by order of the Electoral Council, which organizes elections in Turkey.

ANKARA, Oct 21, 2007 (AFP) - Turks voted Sunday in a referendum on contested constitutional reforms introducing the election of the president by popular vote, but the early turnout was low.

The ruling Islamist-rooted Justice and Development Party (AKP) prepared the reforms and after its big general elections victory in July is expected to easily obtain a 'yes' vote.

The proposals provides for a two-round popular vote -- instead of a parliamentary one -- to elect the head of state.

BISHKEK, Oct 21, 2007 (AFP) - Kyrgyzstan voted Sunday in a referendum on a new constitution that would weaken the president's powers in a bid to end years of political upheaval in the Central Asian state.

The proposed reforms, which would strengthen parliament in the former Soviet republic, are expected to be adopted although analysts have warned that turnout may be low.

Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev urged people to approve the reforms, saying they would lead to greater political stability.

ANKARA, Turkey, Oct 21, 2007 (AFP) - Voters went to polls across Turkey on Sunday for a referendum on constitutional reforms that provide for the election of the president by popular vote.

Polling stations opened at 7:00 am (0400 GMT) in the east of the country and an hour later in the west. All voting will end at 5:00 pm (1400 GMT).

Some 42.6 million voters are registered to cast votes in the referendum, but observers say, with no public debate on the reform package, turnout will likely be low.

Initial results are not expected until late Sunday.

BISHKEK, Oct 21, 2007 (AFP) - Voters in Kyrgyzstan began turning out at polling stations Sunday to cast ballots in a referendum to adopt a new constitution that would weaken the president's powers in a bid to resolve years of political upheaval in this Central Asian state.

The proposed reform, which would strengthen the parliament in the former Soviet republic, is widely expected to be adopted although analysts have warned that turnout may be low for the snap referendum.

ANKARA, Oct 21, 2007 (AFP) - Turks head to the polls on Sunday to vote in a referendum on whether the president should be elected by universal suffrage, amid signs that public indifference to the reform may lead to low turnout.

Some 42.6 million voters are registered to cast their 'yes' or 'no' ballots in 134,000 polling stations on the constitutional reform package that provides for a two-round popular vote -- instead of a parliamentary vote -- to elect the head of state.