Current President Georgi Purvanov accepted a nomination for second term in office on August 25.

Purvanov received the support of a nomination committee, Bulgarian news agency BTA reported.

By Thursday August 24, 99 committees comprised of artists, athletes, scientists and educators said they were going to support Purvanov in his attempt to get second term in office. The presidential elections would take place on Ocotber 22.

The presidential elections should not be seen as a referendum in support or against the current ruling coalition, Purvanov said. The ruling tripartite majority resulted from the 2005 parliamentary elections and should not interfere in the upcoming presidential elections, Purvanov said.

Purvanov said that all presidential candidates should present their views on developments in Bulgaria after January 1 2007, when the country is expected to join the EU.

Campaign headquarters should present all sources of funding for the electoral campaign, Purvanov said. NGOs could exercise external control over the expenditure and means of funding, said he.