DUSAHNBE, September 5, Asia-Plus – “Of course, an amount of 3,600 Somonis provided from state funds for candidate to carry out election campaign is not enough, but since each political party and candidate have the right drum up additional funds, which should not exceed 100,000 Somonis, I think it may be enough,” Mr. Sayfullo Safarov, the deputy director of Tajikistan’s Center for Strategic Studies, remarked in his interview with Asia-Plus.
He claims that representatives from other political parties also hold the opinion that these funds (3,600 Somonis provided by the government plus additional 100,000 Somonis) should be enough for successfully carrying out the election campaign.
“Besides each candidate will have 30 minutes of TV air and his/her representative 15 minutes of TV air to explain their programs and air campaign commercials,” said Mr. Safarov, “Therefore, in my opinion, candidates will have equal opportunities to run for election.”
Asked about measures to ensure transparency and fairness of the upcoming presidential election, Mr. Safarov notes that several conditions should be provided. “Protocols on results of the voting should be hanged out straight after the voting and it is necessary to eliminate the possibility of so-called family voting,” Mr. Safarov said.
