Tenth candidate joins Kazakh presidential race
ASTANA. March 6 (Interfax) - Yerzhan Sergazin, 44, an Armed Forces serviceman from Almaty, has become the tenth candidate nominated to run in Kazakhstan's early presidential election, set for April 26, the Kazakh Central Election Commission (CEC) said on Friday.
Among the self-nominated candidates are private entrepreneur Askar Syrgabayev, 56, a resident of the country's capital Astana, Safiolla Aldazhanov, 53, a currently unemployed resident of Astana, president of the Rukhani Kogan Alemy public foundation, Liman Koishiyeva, 46, a resident of Astana, engineer Bakhyt Abdukarimov, 38 a resident of Astana, driver Sukharab Myrzashov, 31, a resident of Astana, homeowners' rights movement leader Yesenbek Ukteshbayev, 57, a resident of Almaty, pensioner Yakobzhan Dzhunisbelov, 69, a resident of Almaty, and petrol station director Kanat Zhuman, 46, a resident of Almaty.
On Thursday, Syrgabayev failed a Kazakh language test.
Under Kazakh law, a Kazakh citizen, at least 40 years old, who has a perfect command of the Kazakh language and has been living in Kazakhstan for the past 15 years can be elected as the country's president.