Transnistrian presidential election, 2006

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Transnistria
This article is part of the series: Politics and government of Transnistria

President Igor Smirnov Parliament Political parties Disputed status War of Transnistria Human rights 2006 presidential election See also: Politics of Moldova
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The 2006 presidential election in Transnistria was held on December 10 of that year. Incumbent President Igor Smirnov won despite opposition having stiffened during the final weeks of the campaign. Three candidates registered to run besides the incumbent Smirnov: Tighina MP Piotr Tomaily, Pridnestrovie Communist Party candidate Nadezhda Bondarenko and journalist Andrey Safonov. Some web-polls taken by a large proportion in the tiny break-away republic showed Bondarenko tie-to-tie with Smirnov.^[1]

Andrey Safonov candidature was at first rejected, and only on 30 November the Tiraspol law court accepted it. The Transnistrian authorities have deliberately given little time for Safonov's election campaign, claimed one of Safonov's allies, Grigory Volovoi.^[2]

Despite the court ruling, at the Electoral Comission meeting on 27 November Safonov's registration was not accepted with some members claiming that the court decision needed to be challenged at a higher instance. The Commission finally allowed the candidacy on 5 December.

Starting with 7 December, early voting was allowed for those persons for whom it was impossible to come to the polls on 10 December.^[3]

Summary of the December 10, 2006 Transnistrian **presidential election**
Candidate	Party	%
Igor Smirnov	Respublika	82.4%
Nadezhda Bondarenko	KPP and PKP	8.1%
Andrey Safonov	—	3.9%
Peter Tomaily	—	2.1%
Total		100.0%
Sources: Tiraspol Times, DPA		view, talk, edit