30 candidates bid for presidency in Kyrgyzstan

BISHKEK, August 2 (Itar-Tass) - The number of candidates for
presidency in Kyrgyzstan increased to 30, the central election commission
of the Central Asian republic told Itar-Tass on Tuesday.
"At present, 30 people have already filed their documents to our
commission," the source said.
"To be registered for the presidential race a candidate should collect
30,000 signatures of support, make an election deposit of 100,000 soms
(around 2,200 U.S. dollars), form an election fund, which size should not
exceed 50 million soms (around 1.1 million U.S. dollars) and pass the
Kyrgyz language proficiency exam," the commission said.
The registration of candidates will end on August 16.
"Seven candidates were nominated by political parties, others are
self-nominees," the commission said.
On the list of candidates for presidency are unemployed persons,
former parliamentarians, a farmer, a housewife, journalists, a retired
police general, a former serviceman and business people.
Meanwhile, local experts believe that only two-three candidates from
this list have real chances to contest for the presidential seat. These
are Kamchybek Tashiyev, leader of Ata-Zhurt party (Fatherland) and Adakhan
Madumarov, head of Butun Kyrgyzstan party (United Kyrgyzstan).
Political scientists noted that many political heavyweights have not
yet announced their intention to join the election race, but will
certainly do this in the near future.
The president of Kyrgyzstan is elected for six years. Under the
effective laws Incumbent President Roza Otunbayeva has no right to
nominate herself again, therefore she should leave the post before the end
of the year.
For 20 years of Kyrgyzstan's independence the republic has never
experienced a peaceful change of power.