DUSHANBE, October 9, 2013, Asia-Plus – 181,343 signatures have been collected by the afternoon of October 9 to support candidature of Ms. Oynihol Bobonazarova, who was nominated by the Islamic Revival Party (IRP) to run in the 2013 presidential election scheduled for November 6.
Representative of Bobonazarova’s campaign staff, Rahmatullo Rajab, says they do not lose hope to collect the necessary number of signatures (210,000) by the deadline date (6:00 pm, October 10).
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.
