Text of report by the Tajik news agency Asia-Plus on 19th March

An Asia-Plus correspondent in [eastern town of] Khorogh has learned from the
head of the department for monitoring the implementation of the Supreme
Assembly's [Tajik parliament] decisions, (?Mukhibullo Dadajonov), that the
parliamentiary election results might be revised in single-seat
constituency No 41 in [eastern] Mountainous Badakhshon Autonomous Region.
We recall that (?Sharofat Mamadambarova) scored a victory with 49.53 per
cent of the votes earlier, and her opponent, (?Gharibsho Sufishoyev),
received 49.35 per cent. After the elections, Gharibsho Sufishoyev
complained about violations in the 12th March [runoff] elections. The
Central Election and Referendum Commission [CERC] representatives, (?Tutiyo
Alimamadov) and (?Yusuf Shodmonbekov), confirmed that there had been
violations.

At present, a special commission, headed by Mukhibullo Dadajonov, has been
set up to solve this issue. Dadajonov says in fact there have been
violations in the runoff elections in Mountainous Badakhshon Autonomous
Region. There are two ways to solve the problem: to recognize Gharibsho
Sufishoyev the winner or to annul the election results and hold runoffs.
Dadajonov also noted election violations in [eastern] Vanj electoral
district. However, the final decision is to be taken at the CERC meeting on
20th March.

Source: Asia-Plus news agency, Dushanbe, in Russian 0756 gmt 19 Mar 00
BBC Mon CAU 200300/** JF/UU