Text of report by the Tajik news agency Khovar on 7th November

A statement by the Central Election and Referendum Commission
of the Republic of Tajikistan [CERC]

The presidential elections in the Republic of Tajikistan
of 6th November are considered valid. An active turn out of the
population of the republic was observed in the elections. In
total, 98 per cent of the electorate turned out to vote.
According to early figures, over 96 per cent of the electorate
[who turned out in the elections] cast their votes in favour of
the incumbent president of the Republic of Tajikistan, Emomali
Rahmonov. Two per cent of the electorate cast their votes for
Davlat Usmon, the candidate from the Islamic Rebirth Party of
Tajikistan.

The early results of the voting show that Emomali Rahmonov
has enjoyed the full support of the electorate in all regions
of the country. By casting their votes for Emomali Rahmonov,
the people of Tajikistan, have, in fact, expressed their
support for further democratic reforms and maintaining peace
and stability in the republic.

In line with the constitutional law of the Republic of
Tajikistan On presidential elections in the Republic of
Tajikistan, the final results of the presidential elections in
the Republic of Tajikistan will be announced by the CERC
through the media within 10 days after the elections.

Source: Khovar news agency, Dushanbe, in Russian 0400 gmt 07
Nov 99
BBC Mon CAU 071199/** AJBA/AS