Campaign organisers have only today to open special bank accounts for all campaign donations and expenditure.

Non-parliamentary parties can already start collecting signatures in support of their bids; they need 50 in each of the eight electoral units.

Groups of voters can enter the race if they collect at least 1,000 signatures in each unit.

The deadline for the submission of candidacies is 18 June.

Until the new parliament is convened the existing legislature has full powers, but will only hold extraordinary sessions, according to an agreement reached by deputy group leaders today.