Long-term Monitoring of Parliamentary Elections in Tajikistan

On 1 February, Deputy Secretary General of the IPA CIS Council – Plenipotentiary Representative of the Majlisi Oli of the Republic of Tajikistan Abdukhalil Gafurzoda met with Tajik citizens living in the northwestern region of Russia, representatives of political parties, public and youth organizations, and students. The meeting participants were informed about the upcoming parliamentary elections and received a detailed explanation of how the voting procedure would be organized.

On 3 February, the IPA CIS international observers met with First Secretary of the Consulate General of the Republic of Tajikistan in St. Petersburg Farrukh Kasimov as part of the long-term monitoring of the preparations for the elections of members of the Majlisi Namoyandagon of the Majlisi Oli of the Republic of Tajikistan of the seventh convocation.

Deputy Head of the IPA CIS Council Secretariat – Director of the International Institute for Monitoring the Democracy Development, Parliamentarianism and Suffrage Protection of Citizens of IPA CIS Member Nations (IPA CIS IIMDD), Doctor of Law, Professor Ivan Mushket and Deputy Director of the IPA CIS IIMDD Elena Eremenko discussed with the First Secretary the establishment of a polling station in St. Petersburg for citizens of the Republic of Tajikistan living abroad, as well as the interaction of the Consulate General with government authorities of the Russian Federation. The meeting was attended by Abdukhalil Gafurzoda .

On 4 February, international observers from the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly discussed the preparations for the elections with Deputy Chair of the Agrarian Party of Tajikistan Mirzoanvar Akhmedov, who said that the party had nominated 13 candidates on local lists and 16 on district lists.

Observers were being taught and will work at more than 3,500 polling stations.

On 5 February, international observers from the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly held a meeting with Secretary of the Central Commission for Elections and Referendums of the Republic of Tajikistan Navruz Samadzoda.

The People’s Democratic Party has candidates in all 41 single-mandate constituencies. 100% of the party’s polling stations were planned to be monitored. First Deputy Chair of the People’s Democratic Party of Tajikistan Maliksho Nematzoda emphasized the youth’s activity in this area.

Chair of the Communist Party of Tajikistan Miroj Abdulloev spoke about the election program, the key aspect of which is solving social issues and improving the quality of life of citizens. A meeting was also held with Chair of the Socialist Party of Tajikistan Gulom Halimzoda.

On 12 February, international observers from the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly held online meetings with the heads of the district election commissions of Tajikistan. The parties discussed the preparation and holding of the upcoming parliamentary elections.

Ivan Mushket reported that the formation of a group of observers from the IPA CIS has been completed. It consisted of members and representatives of the parliaments of the Commonwealth countries, staff members of the Assembly and experts of the Institute.

The group’s work consists of two stages: long-term and short-term monitoring, said the head of the IPA CIS IIMDD. The observers have already held meetings with the election administration authorities and representatives of the headquarters of the parties that nominate their candidates.  Following the meetings, a conclusion will be prepared on the compliance of the country’s electoral legislation with international standards.