ASTANA, May 8 (Xinhua) -- The Central Election Commission (CEC) of Kazakhstan announced Wednesday that it has registered seven presidential candidates, with the registration being completed ahead of schedule.
Konstantin Petrov, deputy chairman of the CEC, said that all the nominated candidates have been registered before May 6.
The seven candidates are the incumbent President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev from the ruling Nur Otan Party, Daniya Yespayeva from the Democratic Party "Ak Zhol," Zhambyl Akhmetbekov from the Communist People's Party of Kazakhstan, Toleutai Rakhimbekov from the People's Democratic Patriotic Party "Auyl," Amangeldy Taspikhov from the Federation of Trade Unions of Kazakhstan, Sadybek Tugel from the "Uly Dala Kyrandary" Republican Movement and Amirzhan Kosanov from the United National Patriotic Movement "Ult Tagdyry."
Zhumatay Aliyev from the public association "Khalyk Demography" was rejected by the CEC for failing the state language proficiency exam. Talgat Yergaliyev from the Union of Builders of Kazakhstan withdrew his presidential bid from the CEC.
The extraordinary presidential election in Kazakhstan will be held on June 9. The election campaign will begin on May 11 and last until June 8.
