The polls have closed in amid continuing tensions about the fairness of the Sunday parliamentary election.

First results are not expected until Monday when international observers are also expected to report on the smoothness of the vote.

Opposition groups complained before the election that courts struck several of their candidates from the ballot and that the government has interfered with independent media.

Election of the 75-seat parliament is seen as a precursor to October's presidential election. President Askar Akayev has said he will step down, as the constitution requires, at the end of his second term.

But opposition parties fear Mr. Akayev may launch a move to change the constitution to allow him to run for a third term. He denied this as he voted Sunday.

Some information for this report provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.