Analysis of the Parliament Election Tajikistan

The joint sessions of local representative authorities on March 23 elected deputies to Majlisi Milli – the upper chamber of Tajik parliament. Altogether 25 members of Majlisi Milli were elected. Earlier, president of the country, using his constitutional right, appointed eight members of Tajik Senate. With forming of the upper chamber the parliament campaign in Tajikistan had ended.

The upper chamber appeared in Tajik parliament as amendments to the Constitution were adopted at the Referendum in September. When the draft of the amendments was published for general discussion, the provision on the upper chamber became the object for hot criticism by opposition parties, including the Communist Party, the democratic Party (Tehran platform), the Adolat va Tarakkiyot, which were united in the Consultative Council of Political Parties. These parties constituted the so-called new opposition to the government of Emomali Rahmonov. By general opinion of these forces, creation of an upper chamber at parliament of Tajikistan – the state with unitary structure would be not necessary and even harmful. Especially hot debates were caused by the method of forming the upper chamber: it was planned that three quarters of Majlisi Milli would be elected by joint sessions of deputies of local representative authorities, and one quarter would be appointed by President. Besides, parties of the Consultative Council did not agree with the extensive authority to be granted to the upper chamber. In accordance with the Constitution, Majlisi Milli is authorized to for, dismiss and change administrative and territorial units, elect and recall chairpersons, their deputies and members of Constitutional Court, Supreme Court and High Economic Court, prosecutor General and his deputies by recommendation of President, etc. Also, Majlisi Milli has a right to impose a veto on draft laws of the lower chamber. To overcome the veto at adopting a regular law, the lower chamber would have to support it by two thirds of votes; to adopt a constitutional law the ration would increase to three quarters. Opposition considered that use of Majlisi Milli would enable the executive power control over the courts and the legislative bodies. Thus, it was presumed from the very beginning that the upper chamber would become the stronghold of pro-government forces. In general, one may note that opposition forces did not demonstrate high activity at election of local organs of power, which in turn determined the outcome of election of Majlisi Milli.

The result of elections on March 23 confirmed the prognoses. Majlisi Milli consists in fact fully of representatives of state administration, first of all heads of administrations of regions, cities and districts – they constitute more than half of the Tajik Senate. In accordance with legislation, heads of local administrations can combine the duties of their position with membership in Majlisi Milli. The elections in the regions were held formally, at non-alternative basis. Already on March 23, chairman of Central Commission for Elections and Referendum Mirzoali Boltuyev stated that elections of Majlisi Milli had been legitimately conducted. The CEC will publish the summary of the elections not later than on April 6.

By decree of President, the first session of Majlisi Milli, together with the lower chamber, will be held on April 27. The session will elect leadership of Majlisi Milli and will adopt the schedule of its work. It is expected that the position of chairman of Majlisi Milli will be taken, most probably, by Mayor of Dushanbe Mahmadsaid Ubaidulloyev.

Thus, the pro-president forces managed to achieve absolute majority in both chambers of Tajik parliament. This situation provides the executive power, on one hand, to adopt any necessary laws and form the court organs. On the other hand, the responsibility increases for the situation in the country.

International organizations, which have the mandate for monitoring parliamentary elections, the UN Mission of Observers in Tajikistan and OSCE had not defined their position in regard of election of Majlisi Oli. Representatives of OSCE said that the results of observations will be published later.