DUSHANBE, December 2, 2014, Asia-Plus — The ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has reportedly set up more than 100 mobile agitation groups for the upcoming parliamentary elections due in late February next year.
“All these groups have been provided with mobile communications and necessary materials about the party, its goals and objectives,” Usmon Soliyev, the head of the PDP public relations department, told Asia-Plus in an interview.
According to him, the ruling party will include 28 candidates in the party list and its candidates will run in all 41 single mandate constituencies.
“The party will also nominate candidates for election to all local councils (majlis),” Soliyev noted.
Founded in 1994, the People’s Democratic Party is the largest political party in Tajikistan, boasting some 250,000 registered members. President Emomali Rahmon is chairman of the party.
At the legislative elections, February 27 and March 13, 2005, the party won 74% of the popular vote and 52 out of 63 seats. This was an increase from the 2000 elections, in which they won 64.9% of the vote and 38 seats. At the last legislative elections, February 28, 2010, the party won 71.69% of the popular vote and 45 out of 63 seats.
Tajikistan’s Parliament (Majlisi Oli) has two chambers: the Assembly of Representatives (Majlisi Namoyandagon) and the National Assembly (Majlisi Milli). Majlisi Namoyandagon has 63 members, elected for a five-year term in, 22 by proportional representation and 41 in single-seat constituencies. Majlisi Milli has 33 members, 25 elected for a five-year term by local majlis members and eight appointed by the president.
