Registration launched of presidential candidates

The republican electoral commission has started registration of candidates for the office of president of Chechnya this afternoon. The night before, the commission finished accepting papers from nominees for the top office in the republic. Just thirteen out of nineteen candidates have been able to complete their paperwork in time. "Four people have paid a deposit. These are Malik Saidullaev, Alu Alkhanov, Mukhumkhasan Asakov and Vakha Visaev. The decision on registration of these people may be passed as soon as today. The other nine candidates will have to wait until their lists of voter signatures, which will take at least 10 days. The final list of registered contenders for the office of head of Chechnya will not be announced before July 24," Chechnya's electoral commission told Caucasian Knot's correspondent.

The following candidates have submitted lists with the required 6,000 voter signatures in support of them: Sultan Aiskhanov, Abdula Bugaev, Movsar Khamidov, Yaragi Mamodaev, Khasan Abduev, Adam Edilov, Sergo Khachukaev, Magomed Aidamirov and Zura Magomadova, the only female candidate. Special working groups including graphologists have already launched spot check of the lists of voter signatures submitted by the candidates, electoral commission workers said.