Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. Kyrgyzstan Referendum Held Under Tight Security Constitutional referendum held amid fears vote could spark renewed clashes between ethnic Kyrgyz and Uzbeks. 27 June 2010 ÐеженÑÑ-Ñзбеки Ñ ÑгоÑевÑего дома в ÐÑе Photo: AP ÐеженÑÑ-Ñзбеки Ñ ÑгоÑевÑего дома в ÐÑе A constitutional referendum is under way in Kyrgyzstan amid fears the vote could spark renewed clashes between ethnic Kyrgyz and Uzbeks in the country's south. Interim leader Roza Otunbayeva, who came to power after an April 7 uprising that ousted president Kurmanbek Bakiyev and killed 85 people, has refused to postpone the plebiscite. Security is tight throughout the capital, Bishkek, and in the southern cities of Osh and Jalalabad, where the ethnic violence that erupted on June 10 killed at least 275 people. Some officials put the death toll as high as 2,000. Many people in the south still support the deposed president, who now lives in Belarus. Ms. Otunbayeva traveled to the south to cast her vote at Osh State University. The referendum, which has been backed by the United States and Russia, is intended to reduce the authority of the president and give more power to a democratically elected parliament. Results are expected Monday. The New York-based group Human Rights Watch said Saturday the government's decision to proceed with the polls could be the spark that ignites additional violence between ethnic Kyrgyz and Uzbeks. The group called for an international inquiry into the unrest in Kyrgyzstan, saying the inter-ethnic violence was systematic and well-organized. It added that many Uzbeks do not believe the interim government will conduct an objective and impartial investigation. Some information for this report provided by AP, AFP and Reuters. .