Kyrgyzstan's Acting President Registers For Vote

Campaigning starts tomorrow for candidate Bakiev (file photo) 13 June 2005 -- Kyrgyzstan's acting President Kurmanbek Bakiev registered today as a candidate in the country's 10 July election for a successor to ousted President Askar Akaev.

Bakiev and another candidate, Akbaraali Aitikeev, were the last to register before registration closed today.

They join five other candidates who have registered for the presidential race.

Bakiev is heavily favored to win. The election originally was scheduled for late October. But the vote was moved forward after Akaev fled the country during protests in March and resigned the presidency.

Two of the candidates served in Akaev's cabinet before he was ousted. Campaigning officially starts on 14 June.

(AP/ITAR-TASS)