The party of power received majority in parliament

On March 12, the second round of election of Majlisi Namoyandagon was held in 12 districts as the last major event in parliamentary campaign in Tajikistan. The Central Commission for Elections published preliminary results of voting on March 13, naming the 13 winners. Earlier, 27 winners were determined at the first round of elections in one-mandate districts and 22 – by party lists. One more seat is still vacant – repeated elections are to be held in Khojamaston within two months.

The results of the elections, in accordance with the data of CEC, look like following. The first position was taken by the ruling party – People’s Democratic Party of Tajikistan, with 64.91% of votes and 15 seats in parliament. The Communists received five seats with 20.63% of votes. The Islamic Revival Party won 7.31% of votes and two seats in parliament. The other parties could not overcome the 5% barrier – the Democratic Party, the Adolatkhoh and the Socialist Party received 3.54%, 1.32% and 1.22% respectively, and did not take part in distribution of seats by party lists.

PDPT is also the leader in one-mandate districts. Thus, with consideration of voting by party lists, PDPT received firm parliament majority in the lower chamber of parliament. Out of 63 deputies of Majlisi Namoyandagon about 45 are either members of PDPT or its supporters. The potential of the second large party – the Communists is not great. There are only thirteen Communists, and besides, representatives of the Communist Party had always been giving up under pressure.

The election campaign was tense. Scandals and accusations of forging documents took place in practically all election districts. Some candidates and parties even made statements on non-recognition of the elections as a whole. By opinion of opposition parties and candidates, the whole system of election commissions and courts worked exclusively for the ruling party and its supporters. The Islamic Revival Party made a statement on February 29 that results of voting by the national vote have been falsified in favor of PDPT. By opinion of leaders of IRP, the falsification was possible because of absence of representatives of IRP in election commissions, by the fact that representatives of parties were not allowed to count of votes, by dependence of election commissions on the official authorities, etc. representatives of IRP accused the official authorities of violation of the November protocol on political guarantees, which was signed by Sayeed Abdullo Nuri and President Rahmonov. For example, the provision on the 20% quota of representation for opposition parties in election commissions was not fulfilled. First Vice-Premier of government of RT Khoji Akbar Turajonzoda also admitted that such violations had taken place.

At the same time, representatives of Central Election Commission ultimately deny that violations of the law on elections were of mass character. Members of CEC refer all complaints and accusations to the "syndrome of losers" of the candidates and parties, which are now looking for explanation for their failure.

The opinions of international observers in regard of the elections are different. Practically all observers from countries of CIS, Iran and Pakistan assert that the elections passed without visible violations of laws. However, the head of the joint mission of OSCE and UN on monitoring the elections in Tajikistan Zenon Kukhchak stated that serious violations of international standards took place during the election campaign and in the voting. Zenon Kukhchak supposes that the new election legislation could not provide for independence of election commissions and transparency of count of votes. He said that the state organs repeatedly interfered in the work of election commissions. The mission recommended that Tajikistan improve the election process, to achieve the minimal democratic standards at conducting equal and fair elections. Nevertheless, Zenon Kukhchak believes that the elections of 2000 in comparison with the previous elections are a step forward in strengthening Tajik democracy.

The parliamentary elections accelerated the process of re-grouping of political forces of the country. First, a number of members of United Tajik Opposition, including former field commanders, moved to the camp of supporters of President E.Rahmonov. In large extent with support of these forces, representatives of the ruling party managed to win in Garm, Faizobod and some other areas of traditional stronghold of the Islamists. On the contrary, some politicians and former field commanders, that earlier supported President Rahmonov formed the new opposition. Despite the quite harsh statements of the IRP, the situation in the country remains stable. Although, the Islamists and other political forces are prepared to recognize the results of the elections on base of compromise.