DUSAHNBE, November 21, Asia-Plus – The leader of the Social-Democratic Party of Tajikistan (SDPT) Rahmatillo Zoirov has appealed against the decision by the Central Commission for Elections and Referenda (CCER) to recognize the results of the November presidential election.
The SDPT leader said in an interview with Asia-Plus that an appropriate appeal was lodged to the country’s Supreme Court on November 20.
Zoirov justified his decision to appeal to the court by saying that Tajikistan’s constitution does not give Emomali Rahmonov the right to seek the third term. The SDPT leader added that by considering the appeal the Supreme Court will demonstrate independence of the country’s judicial system.
“Under Article 19 of the RT Law “On the Election of the President of Tajikistan” one may appeal against the election results within 10 days after the CCER officially declares the election results,” Zoirov said. Asked why he has appealed now but not earlier, the SDPT leader said that he had been outside Dushanbe.
Two of Tajikistan”s opposition parties — SDPT and the Democratic Party (DPT) – said November 7, a day after the presidential election, that they do not recognize the result of the election. “We consider it [the election] illegitimate and the result illegal,” Zoirov told journalists in Dushanbe on November 7. The SDPT leader said the result, announced by the central electoral commission, was rigged on orders from high-ranking officials. He also said voter turnout was much lower than 90%, especially in Dushanbe.
The SDPT and the DPT refused to nominate candidates for president, claiming that the outcome was predetermined, with the long-standing incumbent president most likely to emerge the winner.
