DUSHANBE, November 17, 2013, Asia-Plus — On Saturday November 16, Emomali Rahmon was sworn in for his fourth term in office as Tajikistan”s president. The victory gave him a new seven-year term in office after 21 years in power.
The inauguration ceremony took place at a joint session of both chambers of parliament that took place at the Kokhi Somon Palace Complex in Dushanbe.
In his inaugural speech, Emomali Rahmon, in particular, said that the 2013 presidential election had shown once again unity of the people, stability in society and peace and accord on Tajik soil.
He also noted that people’s real incomes would grow four times by 2020 and the country would reach the energy independence.
Rahmon stressed that the government would focus on development of, first of all, national economy, social sector and providing security of the state and the people.
After his address, Emomali Rahmon rode in an open-topped car to the Dousti Square in downtown Dushanbe, where 5,000 soldiers swore an oath of service before a military parade that ended with an artillery salute.
According to official figures, incumbent President Emomali Rahmon won the presidential election with 84.32 percent of the vote.
Turnout at the election was 90.1 percent. A total number of voters in Tajikistan is 4,201,156 people and 3,787,703 of them cast votes in the presidential election; 3,157,253 voters reportedly voted for Emomali Ramon.
Rahmon ran against five candidates and the nearest challenger to Emomali Rahmon in the 2013 presidential election was Ismoil Talbakov from the Communist Party, who reportedly garnered 4.93 percent of the vote (184,653 votes).
Tolibbek Bukhoriyev from the Agrarian Party reportedly received 4.49 percent (168,313 votes), Olimjon Boboyev from the Party of Economic Reforms – 3.82 percent (143,231), Abduhalim Ghafforov from the Socialist Party – 1.48 percent (55,616), and Saidjaffar Ismonov from the Democratic Party – just 1.05 percent (39,334).
Election observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe have said the election lacked pluralism and genuine choice.
