DUSHANBE, September 3, 2013 Asia-Plus – By the evening of October 3, 110,000 signatures have been collected to support the Islamic Revival Party (IRP)’s presidential candidate, Ms. Oynihol Bobonazarova.
“Over the two last days alone, supporters of Oynihol Bobonazarova have collected 60,278 signatures,” Abduqayum Qayumzod, a spokesman for Bobonazarova’s campaign staff, told Asia-Plus in an interview Thursday evening.
The Islamic Revival Party confirmed its support for Bobonazarova at a party congress on September 17.
Tajikistan”s first female presidential candidate has said that, if elected, she would lead the country only for a transition period while reforms are implemented.
Bobonazarova”s program reportedly includes constitutional reforms, namely shortening the presidential term and limiting terms in office to a maximum of two. Her platform also targets the transfer of some presidential powers to the legislative and executive branches.
A lawyer by profession, Ms. Bobonazarova is best known for her advocacy of human rights and her work with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the Open Society Institute/Assistance Foundation.
Ms. Oynihol Bobonazarova is the head of the “Perspektiva” social movement and since 1990 has been known for her work with democratic parties in Tajikistan.
