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Top Kyrgyz Officials Resign To Take Part In Parliamentary Elections


Omurbek Tekebaev (left) and Temir Sariev will lead parties in the October polls.
Omurbek Tekebaev (left) and Temir Sariev will lead parties in the October polls.
BISHKEK -- Two deputy chairmen of Kyrgyzstan's interim government have announced their resignations so they can campaign for the upcoming parliamentary elections, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports.

Joomart Saparbaev, an aide to Deputy Chairman Omurbek Tekebaev, told RFE/RL that Tekebaev signed his resignation letter on July 12. He said Tekebaev wanted to take part in the elections -- which are scheduled for October -- as leader of the Ata-Meken (Fatherland) party.

Saparbaev said Tekebaev would officially announce his decision on July 13.

Earlier, Deputy Chairman and acting Finance Minister Temir Sariev told journalists he also would resign from his post, on July 14. He also said he was resigning to take part in the elections.

Sariev, who heads the Ak-Shumkar (White Falcon) party, explained that every Kyrgyz official who wants to be a candidate should resign to avoid conflict of interest and to prevent them from abusing their government powers during the campaign.

Kyrgyz President Roza Otunbaeva has said she expects the resignations of all members of the government who will be candidates for the elections.

Otunbaeva's interim government was formed after the April 7 uprising that ousted President Kurmanbek Bakiev.
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