Text of report by Iranian radio from Mashhad on 16th February

A number of nominees for the elections to the Assembly of Representatives of
Tajikistan who were denied registration have complained to the Supreme
Court and the Central Electoral Commission [CEC].

According to these two organizations, five people appealed to the Supreme
Court, protesting at the CEC's decisions and another 15 appealed to the
CEC, protesting at decisions of local electoral commissions.

The Supreme Court of Tajikistan considered complaints by two nominees on
Wednesday [16th February], but upheld the decision of the CEC not to
register them. One of them is (?Mustafo Tuqayev), a deputy commander of a
powerful military unit of the Tajik armed forces, who was denied
registration because of his criminal record.

Tajik President Emomali Rahmonov urged local authorities and election
officials last Saturday [12th February] to prevent resolutely violations by
servicemen during the elections.

At the same time, the chairman of the disbanded Party of Justice and
Development of Tajikistan, Rahmatullo Zohirov, said he doubted that the law
would be observed in considering cases of some candidates who had been
denied registration. He said that he and a number of other nominees were
not registered under orders by government officials and there was only a
slim chance that the court would act against them. He said that the CEC had
not registered mainly those who had enough capability to become a deputy in
parliament.

Source: Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mashhad, in Persian 1600 gmt
16 Feb 00
BBC Mon CAU 170200/** BB/MI