Electoral authorities in Moldova's breakaway Transdniester region have rejected local journalist Andrei Safonov's bid to run against the region's current president, Igor Smirnov. The head of the Transdniestrian Election Commission, Pyotr Denisenko justified the denial by saying that more than 20% of the 9,436 signatures Andrei Safonov had presented as those of his followers were falsified. Safonov called the rejection a "political vendetta".
Smirnov announced his decision to seek a fourth term as president on November 3. In addition to Smirnov, the commission has approved two other candidates: businessman Pyotr Tomaily and Communist Party leader Natalia Bondarenko.
Smirnov announced his decision to seek a fourth term as president on November 3. In addition to Smirnov, the commission has approved two other candidates: businessman Pyotr Tomaily and Communist Party leader Natalia Bondarenko.
