Preliminary results of a controversial referendum in Kyrygzstan show President Askar Akayev has won sweeping approval for constitutional reform and support for his continued stay in office. The Kyrgyz Central Election Committee said 77% of voters approved the president remaining until the end of his term in 2005, along with constitutional change. The Election Committee said the turnout was just over 86%. Mr Akayev has been facing opposition calls for his resignation following widespread political unrest last year. Observers said voting was orderly but there were minor violations, including some people voting twice and the duplication of names on registration lists. There has been widespread criticism of the new constitution and the timing of the referendum. The proposals for reform emerged last year after months of civil unrest, but many fear the changes will aggravate rather than defuse tensions in the country. The BBC\'s Catherine Davis in Bishkek says few people in the country expect the referendum result to be a surprise. Our correspondent says many said they voted \"yes\" to the constitutional amendments, but some of them did not know what those changes were. (BBC)