Prague, 26 November 2022 (dpa/MIA) - Nine candidates were selected to appear on the Czech Republic's presidential election ballots next month, announced the country's Interior Ministry on Friday. Twelve candidates did not meet the required criteria, including multimillionaire Karel Janecek and entrepreneur and ex-sports presenter Karel Divis. Candidates had to prove that they had the support of 20 lawmakers or 10 senators. Alternatively, they could present the signatures of at least 50,000 citizens supporting their candidature. The two poll favourites are still in the race for the highest state office: ex-general and former chairperson of the NATO Military Committee, Petr Pavel; and populist ex-prime minister and billionaire Andrej Babis. According to opinion polls conducted by the Median polling agency in October, Pavel could get 22.5% of the vote, closely followed by Babis with 22%. In third place would be former university president Danuse Nerudova with 15%. The results are based on surveys conducted of 1,005 people aged 18 and older from October 1-31. Results were published on November 7 The first round of elections will take place on January 13-14. Incumbent president Milos Zeman cannot run again after two terms in office.