Factbox: Kyrgyz voters back parliamentary democracy

BISHKEK (Reuters) - Kyrgyzstan has voted in a referendum to create Central Asia's first parliamentary democracy, after a wave of ethnic violence in which hundreds of its citizens were killed earlier this month.

The constitutional changes were proposed by the interim government, led by former Foreign Minister Roza Otunbayeva, which took office after President Kurmanbek Bakiyev was overthrown in a revolt in April.

With almost all votes counted, official results showed 90.6 percent of voters backed the new constitution. Just 8 percent voted against, according to preliminary data from 99.6 percent of polling stations.

Following are some facts about the new constitution.

-- Like the Bakiyev-designed constitution, the new version defines mainly-Muslim Kyrgyzstan as a secular state.

-- It declares Kyrgyzstan a parliamentary republic, meaning the prime minister would have more power than the president.

-- Parliamentary elections will be held every five years. The interim government plans to hold the first elections in October this year.

-- The number of seats in parliament will be increased to 120 from 90. A proportional representation election system will be used. No single party will be allowed to control more than 65 seats.

-- The president is limited to a single six-year term. He or she must be no younger than 35 and no older than 70, fluent in Kyrgyz and have lived in the country for at least 15 years.

-- Otunbayeva will be acting president until December 31, 2011, after which she will not be entitled to run for president.

-- Kyrgyz citizens aged 18 and over will be entitled to vote.

-- Members of the armed forces, police and the judiciary are not allowed to join a political party.

-- No political party can be created on religious or ethnic grounds.

Source: Kyrgyz draft constitution published on the interim government's website, www.kyrgyz-el.kg, and the Central Election Commission's website, www.shailoo.gov.kg.

(Writing by Robin Paxton)