DUSHANBE, February 22, 2010, Asia-Plus — President Emomali Rahmon today held a meeting to discuss the progress of preparations for the February 28 parliamentary elections, spring sowing campaign and preparations for the Navrouz festival celebrations, according to presidential press service.
The meeting participants included senior representatives from the government, president’s executive office, relevant ministries and organizations as well as chairman of the Central Commission for elections and Referenda (CCER).
Reporting on preparations for the parliamentary elections, the CCER head Mizroali Boltuyev noted that 153 persons have been registered as candidates for the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament) by February 8; 148 of them have been put on ballot papers. “To-date, ballot papers have been distributed to all constituencies,” said Boltuyev, “In all, 3,067 polling stations have been set up across the country.”
According to him, 24 long-term observers from the OSCE/ODIHR arrived in Tajikistan on January 24. Besides, 508 international observers from the CIS, OSCE and diplomatic missions accredited in the country as well as some 24,000 local observers have been registered with the CCER.
Speaking at the meeting, President Rahmon charged the Central Commission for Elections and Referenda (CCER), the Prosecutor-General’s Office and the Supreme Court as well as local authorities to take adequate measures to ensure holding of transparent and democratic parliamentary elections.
Prime Minister Oqil Oqilov reported on his working trip to the Sughd province. He noted that the region’s pump stations had been made ready for irrigation season and the construction of substations and power transmission lines in northern Tajikistan was under way.
Deputy Prime Minister in charge of the agrarian sector, Murodali Alimardon, and Minister of Agriculture Qosim Qosimov reported on preparations for the spring sowing season.
The meeting also discussed issues related to implementation of the national budget and acceleration of construction of the Sungtuda-2 and Nourobod-1 hydropower plants and a new heat and power stations as well as the nationwide switch to energy-saving light bulbs.
The head of state also charged heads of ministries and organizations, regions, cities and districts to provide financial aid to the vulnerable families on the threshold of the Navrouz festival (March 21).
