Artsakh war hero Vitali Balasanyan nominated himself for presidency on April 28, thus challenging incumbent NKR leader Bako Sahakyan.

Balasanyan, who is MP and former deputy defense minister of Karabakh, will run for president as independent candidate, Karabakh-open.info reports citing NKR Central Election Commission.

Current President Sahakyan submitted his nomination documents on April 23.

The nomination process started on April 20 and will be over by 18.00 pm, May 5. Presidential elections in Karabakh will take place on July 19, 2012.