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Candidate Considers Quitting 'Dirty' Kyrgyz Presidential Race


Almambet Matubraimov
Almambet Matubraimov
BISHKEK -- A Kyrgyz presidential candidate has criticized "dirty methods" in the campaign leading up to the October 30 election and said he might withdraw from the race, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports.

Former parliament speaker Almambet Matubraimov told RFE/RL he could not remain in the race, as "the fight for the presidential chair is being waged by dirty methods." He did not elaborate.

The Central Election Commission (BSK) officially warned Matubraimov and three other candidates (Akbaraly Aitikeev, Kubanychbek Isabekov, and Torobai Kolubaev) earlier the same day that they had not provided full and detailed reports on their campaign funds.

Under Kyrgyz law, presidential candidates' campaign funds may not exceed 50 million soms ($1 million), and they must provide the BSK regularly with full and detailed information on where and how those funds were spent.

Matubraimov said he had not yet asked the BSK to annul his candidacy.

A total of 19 candidates are registered to run in the vote to succeed President Roza Otunbaeva.

Read more in Kyrgyz here
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