Excerpts from report by Iranian radio from Mashhad on 19th January

The former parliament of Tajikistan included 54 commanders of military units
of the country. The holding of elections during the civil war in 1995 was a
reason that many people were elected to the parliament without their
credentials being checked. It is also seen now that many non-professionals
and unsuitable people are trying to become MPs. A number of military
commanders are said to be running for parliament in six constituencies
alone. The chairman of the Central Election and Referendum Commission of
Tajikistan, Mirzoali Boltuyev, said the following in this connection:
[Boltuyev] There are such commanders in five or six constituencies. The law
[on elections] says that a commander will be registered if he has tendered
his resignation to the commission. For example, we have examined the
documents of (?Qosimov Bahriddin) from Lenin District, the former commander
of battalion 3502.

[Correspondent] It should be noted that although the servicemen [short break
in reception] they will seek support from their subordinates. The chairman
of the Military Court of Tajikistan, Sharif Qurbonov, says that the law has
taken every measure to prevent pressure by people on electoral commissions
and this will not allow various groups to exert pressure on electoral
commissions as happened in the past. [passage omitted: criminal proceedings
will be instituted against those who exert pressure on the commissions].
However, according to experts, many contenders, especially some commanders,
want a parliamentary seat only to get privileges and to acquire immunity.
An expert of the strategic research institute of the government of
Tajikistan, (?Ismoil Rahmatov), says in this connection:

[Rahmatov] Most commanders who want to be elected to the future parliament
by electoral districts, first and foremost, take into account their own
interests and privileges that will be given by the government and the
constitution to MPs. That is why people should know thoroughly the
personality of candidates, about their authority, knowledge, skills and
talents during the election of MPs to the future parliament.

[Correspondent] Anyway, the attempt by commanders who want to change their
command tool into a parliamentary seat, deserves praise.
At the same time, the Central Election and Referendum Commission is said to
be holding a meeting in the only common political electoral district
tomorrow in order to register candidates of political parties. As of this
afternoon, four political parties had sent all the necessary documents to
the Central Electoral Commission. However, the CEC said that the People's
Democratic Party and the Islamic Rebirth Party have not yet presented all
the necessary documents to the commission and the parties have the
opportunity to prepare and present all the documents by the opening of the
CEC's meeting.
Voice and Vision of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Dushanbe.

Source: Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mashhad, in Persian 1600 gmt
19 Jan 00
BBC Mon CAU 200100/** JF/MI