DUSHANBE, April 22, 2009, Asia-Plus — Deputies of the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament) have endorsed resolution on early termination of powers of deputy of the Majlisi Namoyandagon Muhammadsharif Himmatzoda for health matters. By other resolution Mr. Himmatzoda has been withdrawn from the Majlisi Namoyandagon Committee on Constitution, Legislation and Human Rights.
A regular sitting of the fifth session of the Majlisi Namoyandagon of the third convocation, presided over by its speaker, Saydullo Khairulloyev, was held on April 22.
As it had been reported earlier, spiritual leader of the Islamic Revival Party (IRPT) Muhammadsharif Himmatzoda released a statement on April 14, in which he said he intends to vacate his seat in parliament. He resigned in protest after some his benefits had been revoked. Mr. Himmatzoda, who is unable to walk, was refused transport services that had been previously provided to him after he wrote articles critical of the country”s controversial new law on religion and religious associations.
In the meantime, Muhibullo Dodojonov, an official with the Central Commission for Elections and Referenda (CCER), told Asia-Plus today on April 14 that in accordance with the legislation, another member of the IRPT cannot replace Muhammadsharif Himmatzoda today because only 10 months remain till the next parliamentary elections. “Under the law, the parliament composition cannot be changed less then one year before the next parliamentary elections,” he said.
We will recall that Muhammadsharif Himmatzoda was elected to the Majlisi Namoyandagon through the IRPT list.
The IRPT has two seats in the Majlisi Namoyandagon – Muhiddin Kabiri and Muhammadsharif Himmatzoda; both of them came to the parliament from the party list.
Of 63 seats in the Majlisi Namoyandagon, 22 seats come from party lists. The remainder is elected in first-past-the-post races. The Islamic Revival Party had a party list of only 15 candidates for the 2005 parliamentary elections, while 20 of the party’s representatives ran individual constituencies.
