Sofia, 27 August 1996 (RFE/RL) - Bulgaria's Central Electoral Commission today refused to register the only two candidates for the October 27 presidential elections.
The refusal was due to irregularities in the candidates' registration forms, the electoral commission told the official BTA news agency.
One of the candidates, U.S.-born Georgi Pirinski, was unable to document how he acquired Bulgarian citizenship, said the commission. Pirinski is the current foreign minister and candidate for the ruling Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP).
The Socialist Party announced today that it intends to appeal the decision to Bulgaria's highest court.
The registration form of the second candidate, Petar Stoyanov, contained irregularities concerning his nomination by an alliance of anti-communist parties, said the commission. Stoyanov is the candidate of the Union of Democratic Forces (UDF).
Correspondents say that to date, Pirinski and Stoyanov are the only candidates for the presidential elections to have submitted their registration forms.
The refusal was due to irregularities in the candidates' registration forms, the electoral commission told the official BTA news agency.
One of the candidates, U.S.-born Georgi Pirinski, was unable to document how he acquired Bulgarian citizenship, said the commission. Pirinski is the current foreign minister and candidate for the ruling Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP).
The Socialist Party announced today that it intends to appeal the decision to Bulgaria's highest court.
The registration form of the second candidate, Petar Stoyanov, contained irregularities concerning his nomination by an alliance of anti-communist parties, said the commission. Stoyanov is the candidate of the Union of Democratic Forces (UDF).
Correspondents say that to date, Pirinski and Stoyanov are the only candidates for the presidential elections to have submitted their registration forms.