DUSHANBE, March 2, 2015, Asia-Plus – Tajikistan’s parliamentary elections have been recognized valid.
The Central Commission for Elections and Referenda said more than 82 percent of the 4.3 million registered voters had cast a ballot, well over the 50 percent turnout needed to make the election valid.
The Central Commission for Elections and Referenda (CCER) head Shermuhamamd Shohiyon told reporters that 81.3 percent (3.515 million people) of the 4.4 million registered voters had cast a ballot by 6:00 pm, well over the 50 percent turnout needed to make the election valid.
The 2015 parliamentary elections took place in Tajikistan yesterday, March 1.
Tajikistan’s Parliament (Majlisi Oli) has two chambers: the Assembly of Representatives (Majlisi Namoyandagon) and the National Assembly (Majlisi Milli). Majlisi Namoyandagon has 63 members, elected for a five-year term in, 22 by proportional representation (party list) and 41 in single-seat constituencies.
In all, 285 candidates, including 30 women, competed for seats in the Majlisi Namoyandagon; 103 candidates competed for 22 seats from party lists and 182 candidates, including 80 self-propelled candidates, competed for 41 seats in single-mandate constituencies.
Tajik President Emomali Rahmon cast his vote in Dushanbe without speaking to reporters.
The preliminary results are expected to be published today.
The ballot came after a campaign that international monitors described as flawed.
In its statement released on February 27, IFES noted with the political opposition discredited and facing an uncertain future, the ruling People”s Democratic Party of Tajikistan”s increasing domination of political space and a floundering economy, the parliamentary elections serve as a pseudo referendum on democracy in Tajikistan and the choice between a single, dominant pro-presidential political party with limited political competition or a more representative, multi-party democracy inclusive of a wider spectrum of political interests.
Radio Liberty’s Tajik Service reported on March 1 that apparent voting irregularities have been documented as Tajikistan held parliamentary elections, including widespread cases where one person was casting ballots for an entire family, a lack of election monitors, and instances where volunteer poll workers advised people who to vote for.
Tajik ruling People’s Democratic Party, which currently controls 55 of the 63 seats, is widely expected to win by a landslide, according to RFE/RL.
No election held under Emomali Rahmon — who has been Tajikistan”s president since 1994 — has been deemed free or fair by Western observers.
