DUSHANBE, October 30, 2014, Asia-Plus – Representatives of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), Richard Lappin (Senior Election Adviser) and Alexey Gromov (Election Adviser), arrived in Dushanbe on October 28 on a three-day working visit.
On the same day, they reportedly visited the head office of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Dushanbe, where they held talks with the PDP deputy leader, Asror Latifzoda.
“In the course of the talks, Latifzoda briefed the ODIHR representatives on the PDP structure and preparations for the party pre-election congress that will take place on December 13,” Usmon Soliyev, the head of the PDP public relations department, told Asia-Plus in an interview.
Latifzoda reportedly noted that the PDP was able to win elections at any level and he expressed confidence that the upcoming parliamentary elections due in February next year would be free, democratic and transparent.
On October 29, the ODHIR representatives held talks with Tajik Deputy Interior Minister, Ikrom Umarzoda.
According to the Interior Ministry’s website, the sides discussed issues related to cooperation between Tajikistan and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), including the police reform program and the national police reform strategy of Tajikistan.
Mr. Lappin reportedly noted that the main purpose of the visit was for them to assess the pre-election situation in the country and preparations for the upcoming parliamentary elections Tajikistan.
