News

Tajik democracy not fully tested in uncompetitive presidential election, OSCE (2006)

Democratic practices were not fully tested in the 6 November presidential election in Tajikistan due to the absence of genuine competition, thus providing voters with only nominal choice, concluded the OSCE Election Observation Mission.

Tajik Politician Questions President's Election Order, RFERL (2009)

The article mentions that Tajik opposition politician has challenged President Emomali Rahmon to expand on a recent order demanding that government officials avoid interfering in upcoming parliamentary elections. Rajab Mirzo, a journalist and Democratic Party candidate in the 2005 parliamentary elections, mentioned about necessity of changing the law to allow "free and transparent elections."

Only 19 women to run in parliamentary elections in Tajikistan through proportional party list system, Asia-Plus (2010)

In February 2010, parliamentary elections will be held in Tajikistan. 127 candidates have been nominated to run in parliamentary elections through a proportional, party list system from a single, countrywide constituency and only 19 of them are women. The reporter mentions that the majority of political parties in Tajikistan nominate women just for appearances' sake to show that they do not have gender quality problems.

OSCE/ODIHR to observe parliamentary elections in Tajikistan, UzReport (2010)

The articles reports that the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) has formally opened an election observation mission for the 28 February parliamentary elections in Tajikistan. It comprises 17 international experts from 16 OSCE participating States based in Dushanbe, and 20 long-term observers to be deployed across the country. In addition, ODIHR requested 150 short-term observers. The mission will assess the overall framework and conduct of the elections. This includes the legal framework, the political campaign, the role of the media, the work of the election administration and the complaints and appeals process. On election day, observers will follow the voting, counting and tabulation process.

Observation of parliamentary elections in Tajikistan, OSCE/ODIHR (2010)

The press release reports about starting an Election Observation Mission of OSCE/ODIHR in Tajikistan, which will observe 28 February 2010 parliamentary elections.

CIS election observation mission arrives in Tajikistan, ASIA-Plus (2010)

The CIS election observation mission for the February 28 parliamentary elections in Tajikistan arrived in Dushanbe on February 3. In all, more than 540-550 international observers are expected to monitor the election process in Tajikistan, according to Tajikistan's Central Commission of Elections and Referenda.

Tajikistan: Registration of candidates for parliament and local legislatures ends today, ASIA-Plus (2010)

The article writes that by February 8, the final day of candidate registration for parliament and local legislatures (regional, city and district Majlis), 150 candidates have registered to run for the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament) in 41 single-mandate constituencies. The Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament) has 63 members, who are directly elected for a period of 5 years. 22 are elected through a proportional, party list system from a single, countrywide constituency. To win seats, parties must pass a five percent threshold. The remaining 41 members are elected from single-mandate constituencies under a majoritarian system

Tajik President's Son To Run For Dushanbe City Council, RFE/RL (2010)

The article reports that Tajikistan's ruling National Democratic Party has nominated Rustam Emomali, the president's eldest son, to be a candidate for Dushanbe's city council. Opposition representatives believe that the seat of the president's son in the city council will be he beginning of his political career. Last year the president appointed his daughter to be a deputy foreign minister.

Candidate Registration Ends For Tajik Elections, RFE/RL (2010)

The article tells that registration for Tajikistan's parliamentary elections has ended on 9 February, with 150 candidates officially allowed to run. Four candidates have been rejected registration. The two opposition parties urged the government to amend the election laws before campaigning is finished and to lower or abolish the candidate registration fee - which is nearly $1,600 and unaffordable for many candidates.

OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission concern over significant deficiencies in Tajik election law, ASIA Plus (2010)

The article covers the first interim report of OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission, with a focus on shortcomings of Tajikistan's election law.

Tajik Islamic Party Puts Face-Lift To A Test, RFE/RL (2010)

The article says that Islamic Party of Tajikistan, which is the only religiously based political party in Central Asia will be running for the parliamentary poll.

36 polling stations set up in foreign countries to allow Tajik citizens residing abroad to vote, ASIA-Plus (2010)

The article writes that 36 polling stations have been set up abroad in order to allow Tajik citizens participate in the parliamentary vote on 28 February, 2010.

Tajikistan: parliamentary elections, EurasiaNet (2010)

The articles writes that 28 February 2010 parliamentary elections in Tajikistan will most probably not produce a surprise outcome and the governing People’s Democratic Party of Tajikistan (PDPT) is widely expected to retain a dominating legislative majority, as the campaign has been marked by public skepticism and lackluster opposition activity.

Tajikistan observes ‘day of silence’ on eve of elections, Asia-Plus (2010)

The article informs that at midnight the electoral campaign will be ended in Tajikistan, calling for a day of silence before the voters go to polls on 28 February 2010, to vote for the parliament.

OSCE Says Tajik Elections Failed Democratic Standards, RFE/RL (2010)

OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission said that elections in Tajikistan failed to meet democratic standards. Hundreds of observers have highlighted serious irregularities on the election day.

Tajikistan: CCER announces results of elections through proportional party list system, Asia-Plus (2010)

The article writes that on March 1, the Central Commission for Elections and Referenda (CCER) presented a statement about the preliminary results of the February 28 parliamentary elections at a news conference in Dushanbe. According to that, the People’s Democratic Party (PDPT) won 71.69 percent of votes.

Tajik Opposition Threatens Protests After Poll, RFE/RL (2010)

The article mentions that Tajikistan opposition threatens to call street protests to challenge results of parliamentary elections. The president's party has won 54 of 63 seats in the lower house of the parliament. Any unrest in Tajikistan could worry the West, which uses Tajikistan as part of a northern route supplying NATO troops fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Presidential Party Wins Tajik Landslide, But Who Came In Second?, RFE/RL (2010)

The article writes that according to the official results, in the parliamentary elections of 28 February, 2010, President Rahmon's People's democratic party won about 72% of votes. For the first time, the Islamic Renaissance Party (IRP) appears to have moved ahead of the Communist Party and was in the second place.

Tajik Leader's Party Grabs Parliament Majority, RFE/RL (2010)

The article writes that President Rahmon's party retained parliamentary majority in Tajikistan, and the present configuration in the parliament will change little. Western observers have widely critisnzed Sunday elections as failing to meet basic democratic standards.

Tajiksitan: Rulling party rolls in parliamentary vote, but observers blow whistle, EurasiaNet (2010)

The article reports that governing People’s Democratic Party of Tajikistan is goin to victory in the country’s parliamentary election with almost 72 percent of the vote. Western election monitors, however, expressed disappointment with the conduct of the polling, saying that fraud boosted the governing party’s winning margin.

UPDATE 1-Tajikistan election to yield docile parliament, Reuters (2010)

The article writes about presidential party to retain majority in the parliament, public discontent on the rise in crisis-hit nation, and opposition, voters complaining over irregularities.

A Color Revolution in Tajikistan? Be very careful…, Neweurasia.net

The article writes that the Tajikistan opposition is furious at the recent parliamentary election results and is planning massive protest actions across the country.

Tajik President Rejects Criticism Of Parliamentary Elections, RFE/RL (2010)

The article writes that Tajik president has publicly answered to the critisism over February 2010 parliamentary elections and has claimed elections were peaceful and democratic.

Tajik Parliament's Upper Chamber Reelects Speaker, RFE/RL (2010)

The article reports that Dushanbe Mayor Mahmadsaid Ubaidulloev, who is the second most powerful person in the country after president Rahmon, has been reelected as speaker of the Majlisi Milli, the upper chamber of the Tajik parliament

Tajik Opposition Party Member Jailed For Election Fraud, RFE/RL (2010)

The article writes that Vakhsh district court in Tajikistan's southern Khatlon region today sentenced opposition party member Muhammadruzi Burhonov to one year in prison for election violations during the February 28 parliamentary vote. Burhonov is the first person in 18 years to be jailed for election fraud in Tajikistan

The democratic forces movement is emerging in Tajikistan, Ferghana.ru (2010)

The article reports about establishment of people’s democratic forces movement in Tajikistan. Experts believe that democratic forces movement may face official registration problems in Tajikistan, especially considering that one of the lead members of the movement, head of social-democratic party Rakhmatullo Zoyirov is known in Tajikistan as uncompromising opponent of the President Emomali Rakhmon.

Tajik Islamic Party Official Attacked In Dushanbe, RFE/RL (2011)

The article reports a leading figure of Tajik Islamic opposition beaten up in Dushanbe.

Tajikistan seeks to improve election system, Trend (2011)

It is reported in the article that a round-table on the electoral system of Tajikistan was held in Dushanbe on November 23, 2011 organized by the state election authority with the support from the Venice Commission. It brought together a variety of stakeholders in the electoral process and led the discussion of a wide range of election-related issues.