On April 3, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon signed a decree appointing new members to the upper chamber of the country's parliament (Majlisi Milli) for its seventh convocation, according to the Tajik president’s official website.
By president’s decree the following individuals have been appointed:
- Mr. Nizom Qosim – Chairman of the Writers' Union of Tajikistan;
- Ms. Husniya Rajabzoda – Head of Murgab District, Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region, or GBAO;
- Mr. Mahmadali Vatanzoda – Lawyer;
- Ms. Gulniso Abdurazzoqzoda – Head of Kindergarten No. 2 in Lakhsh District (Rasht Valley);
- Ms. Shahlo Nodiri – Director of Lyceum No. 1 in Isfara, Sughd Province;
- Ms. Rukhshona Vosifjonzoda – Director of the Secondary School named after K.D. Ushinsky specializing in advanced subject studies in Kulob, Khatlon Province
Three-fourths of the total number of members of the Majlisi Milli shall be elected at joint meetings of people’s deputies of the Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Region and its towns and districts, regions and their towns and districts, Dushanbe city and its districts, towns and districts subordinate to the center, on the basis of indirect elections by means of secret ballot. The Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Region, regions, Dushanbe City, towns and districts subordinate to the center have an equal number of representatives in the Majlisi Milli.
One-fourths of the members of the Majlisi Milli shall be appointed by the President of the Republic of Tajikistan.
Thus, 25 out of 33 members of the Majlisi Milli are elected indirectly by district and city councils from the five regions of Tajikistan for a five-year term with each region being represented by equal number of members. The other eight members are appointed by the president. By right, former presidents are members for life.
In a separate decree, the president also scheduled the first session of the Majlisi Milli of the seventh convocation for April 11, during which the chairperson of the parliament’s upper house will be elected.
Until the new election, this position was held by Rustam Emomali, who had earlier been re-nominated as a member of the Majlisi Milli by the Dushanbe legislature.
