The Kyrgyz Social Democrtaic Party has introduced the candidacy of its member and incumbent Prime Minister Almazbek Atambayev to the Central Election Committee for participation in the upcoming presidential elections, its press service said on Monday.
The elections have been set for October 30 and will mark further legitimization of the state power after an April 2010 nationwide revolt toppled then-president Kurmanbek Bakiyev.
The state is currently headed by interim President Roza Otunbayeva, whose term expires December 31, 2011. Under Kyrgyz law, she has no right to take part in the upcoming presidential elections.
Apart from Atambayev, the country's ambassador in Kazakhstan, the co-chairman of the national State Security Committee, a Bishkek police chief, two surgeons, several deputies, editors-in-chief of local media and dozens of farmers and unemployed - all in all, 70 people, are bidding to run for president, a spokeswoman for the election committee said. Only 14 of the candidates have been advanced by political parties, the remaining are independent.
Candidates need to post 100,000 soms (about $2,500) to the Central Election Committee and collect at least 30,000 signatures in their support before August 25. Moreover, each of them is required to pass a state language exam.
