Tajik Opposition Nominates Four Presidential Candidates

(RFE/RL) DUSHANBE, September 18, 2006 (RFE/RL) -- Four Tajik opposition political parties have announced they will field their own individual candidates in presidential elections to be held on November 6.

The Party of Economic Reforms will go to the polls under the leadership of Olim Boboev, who told a party congress in Dushanbe on September 17 that his campaign will focus on the government's economic performance.

The two rival factions of the Socialist Party have nominated separate candidates, Abduhalim Ghafforov and Mirhuseyn Nazriev. So far, only Ghafforov's faction has been officially registered by the Justice Ministry.

Finally, the Agrarian Party has nominated its chairman, Amir Qarokulov. Political experts in Tajikistan suspect the Agrarian Party secretly supports the government.

President Imomali Rakhmonov has still not announced whether he will seek a third term on November 6.

Tajikistan's ruling People's Democratic Party is expected to hold its congress on September 23.