The monitoring
of the referendum and election campaigns in Tajikistan is conducted
mainly by international organizations. That is explained by instability
in the socio-political situation in RT, and by a desire of many local
NGOs to distance themselves from politics as a whole, and from election
themes in particular. In addition, legislation hinders local NGO participation.
For example, in accordance with the law on referendums adopted by
parliament of RT in 1995, only representatives of parties, professional
and youth organizations can attend meetings of election commissions
of all levels and the procedure of voting. The law does not allow
participation of other NGOs.
Among international
organizations that monitor election campaigns are the UN Mission of
Observers and OSCE. UNMOT has a mandate from the UN Security Council,
authorizing monitoring implementation of the Agreement by the sides.
The press secretary of UNMOT Masuma Torfe said that the Mission will
mostly work on monitoring the parliament elections. Nevertheless,
by request of the Mission, the Central Commission for Elections and
Referendums of RT (CCER) issued its representatives official accreditation
for monitoring the referendum on September 26. The General Agreement
also foresees that the OSCE, through its mission in Dushanbe, would
help implement the General Asgreement in part of respect to human
rights and establishment of democratic, political and legal institutes
in republic of Tajikistan. For Tajikistan, the decisions of observers
of OSCE do not have direct juridical force, unlike some other developing
countries, where the OSCE can cancel elections. Nevertheless, authorities
of Tajikistan are interested in favorable estimation of observers,
for its would be important for the Republic politically and economically.
In their work
on monitoring election campaigns, international organizations first
of all monitor conformity of election legislation to international
standards, correctness of registration of candidates and voters, equal
access of all candidates to mass media, fair division into election
districts and stations, etc. every election procedure (referendum,
elections of president, of parliament) have their specifics. For the
referendum, of great importance is the access of various political
forces to mass media, information of population on the issues of national
voting. International organizations had not determined their official
position towards the proposed amendments to the Constitution, and
on other problems of the referendum. Other organizations involved
in monitoring of election campaigns include the International Fund
for Election Systems and Human Rights Watch.
ORGANIZATIONS
MONITORING ELECTION CAMPAIGNS IN TAJIKISTAN:
United Nations
Mission of Observers in Tajikistan. Dushanbe, Tehran Str.7, tel 21-01-47,
21-01-10, 21-01-27, 21-01-59 (fax) E-mail – torfeh@un.org
cato@un.org
Organization for
Security and Cooperation in Europe. Dushanbe, Ibn Cino Str.53 tel.21-40-63,
24-91-59 (tel/fax) E-mail – sand@osce
Sat.phone 00873-382-322-012 Sat.fax 00873-382-322-014
International
Foundation for Election Systems. Dushanbe, Shevchenko Str. 113, apt.27
Fax/tel 27-54-64, 21-71-91
E-mail ifes@ifes.td.silk.org
American Bar Association/Central
and East European Law Initiative, Dushanbe, Shevchenko Str. 44, apt.37
Tel.21-17-86, 21-18-67, fax 51-01-02 E-mail zarona@ceeli.td.silk.org
Human Rights Watch/Helsinki
Dushanbe, Shotemur Str. 75, apt 50 fax 21-89-30 E-mail hwtajik@hrwh.td.silk.org
Internet www.hrw.org
Republican organization:
Information analytic
center Sharq: Bofanda street 7, apt.9 tel. 21-89-95 E-mail: olimov@sharq.td.silk.org