Tajik Opposition Nominates Single Presidential Candidate

DUSHANBE -- A coalition of Tajik opposition groups has nominated rights activist Oynihol Bobonazarova to be their candidate for president in elections scheduled for this November.

The Union of Reformist Forces of Tajikistan (URFT) made the announcement on September 9, which is also Tajikistan's Independence Day.

The opposition pledged several months ago they would select a single candidate to contest the poll against incumbent President Emomali Rahmon, who has been in power since 1992.

Bobonazarova is the head of the "Perspektiva" social movement and since 1990 has been known for her work with democratic parties in Tajikistan. She was jailed for several months in 1993, during Tajikistan's civil war, for her activities.

The URFT is led by the Social Democratic Party of Tajikistan and the Islamic Renaissance Party.