Tajikistan, unlike the neighbor CIS countries, has a well-developed multi-party system. Prior to the presidential elections, six political parties got re-registered and have the right to nominate candidates: the People’s Democratic Party (leader – Emomali Rahmonov); the Socialist Party (leader – Kurbon Vosse); the Islamic Revival Party (leader – Sayeed Abdullo Nuri); the Communist Party (leader – Shodi Shabdolov); Democratic Party (leader – Azam Afzali); Party Adolatkhoh (leader Abdurahmon Karimov). The last three parties are in the Consultative Council of Political Parties, known for its sharp criticism of the draft of amendments to Constitution of RT. Another Democratic party – part of United Tajik Opposition (leader – Mahmadruzi Iskandarov) had not yet been registered, because Tajik legislation prohibits existence of two parties with the same title. At the moment, leaders of the two parties are negotiating a merger.

The parties can be divided into four groups: the pro-presidential PDPT and Socialist parties, the United Tajik Opposition, and the parties of the Consultative Council, from which the Communist Party should be separated.

A session of Majlisi Oli – parliament of Tajikistan was held on September 3; it set the date for election of president on November 6. On September 12, the Central Commission for Elections and Referendum determined the terms for registering candidates for presidency on September 17 – October 6. In the structure of political power in Tajikistan the president has a large, in most cases determining role, and naturally the political life of the country abruptly came into motion.

Already on September 18, Democratic Party (leader – Azam Afzali) convened a congress to nominate as its presidential candidate the former adviser to President Emomali Rahmonov on issues of defense and law Zafar Ikromov. However, on September 27 he announced his resignation, and instead of him DPT nominated the former chairman of Tax Committee of RT Sulton Kuvvatov. On September 20, a congress of Party Adolatkhoh in Uro-Teppa named one more candidate – chairman of the Congress of People’s Unity Saifiddin Turayev. On September 23, congress of PDPT nominated President of RT Emomali Rahmonov as its candidate. On September 27 a congress of Islamic Revival Party decided to nominate as candidate for presidency the Minister of Economy and foreign Economic Relations of RT Davlat Ismonov. On September 24, the Communist Party made an official decision to support the candidacy of Emomali Rahmonov. Leader of the party Shodi Shabdolov explained the need for such an unexpected decision, despite the discontent of many Communists with the present authorities, that relations between Tajikistan and Russia could deteriorate if a Communist candidate were to win.

The procedure of nominating has been repeatedly complicated by scandals and accusations by candidates directed towards the Central Election Commission and Ministry of Justice. For example, Zafar Ikromov explained his decision on resigning that CEC delayed issuing him lists for signatures. Other candidates also many times spoke of obstacles created by executive authorities. The IRP leader amd chairman of the CNR S.A.Nuri said that local executive authorities demand from members of initiative groups and representatives of candidates many conditions not foreseen by Tajik law for legalizing their activity on collecting signatures in support of their candidates. In particular, the Hukumat of Dushanbe created a Coordinating Center, authorized to issue permissions for work of initiative groups, while, as S.A.Nuri said, collection of signatures in support of candidate of PDPT began long before the Center was formed. Authorities in Kofarnihon, Isfara and Kanibadam demanded that a document be presented, confirming registration of the party and the candidate at Ministry of Justice and CEC. S.A.Nuri considers necessary that elections be conducted under supervision of UN, OSCE, that UTO should be given a 25% quota at local election commissions, that airtime be allotted for all candidates. At a joint press conference on September 30, three candidates for presidency – S.Turayev, D.Ismonov, and S.Kuvvatov even stated that it is necessary to shift the date of the elections to end of November, reasoning the demand by absence of equal rights for candidates. Otherwise, they said, they would boycott the elections.

So far, the reaction of official structures, including CEC, to these statements was not published. But it is definite that political situation in Tajikistan has become sharper, though it remains quite stable.

People’s Democratic Party of Tajikistan – former People’s Party, registered in December of 1994, under chairmanship of Abdulmajid Dostiyev. The third congress of the party in June of 1997 renamed the party as PDPT, and elected President of RT Emomali Rahmonov chairman of the party. Superior organs of the party: a congress – to be convened every five years; conference – to be held every year. A presidium of 47 members is the highest authority between congresses and conferences. Political platform – strengthening of peace, construction of legal democratic socially-oriented state, development of integration with Russia, other countries of CIS. Membership – about 50,000. Address: Rudaki avenue, Dushanbe Telephone 21-14-48.

Communist Party of Tajikistan; registered on 03.17.1992. Created on the base of Communist Party of Tajik SSR, which was formed back in 1924. Chairman of CPT – deputy of Majlisi Oli of RT Shodi Shabdolov. Superior organs: congress of CPT, to be gathered not less than once in five years; plenum, to be gathered once a year; between congresses and plenums the highest authority is held by the presidium of 18 members. Political platform:

Islamic Revival Party of Tajikistan. Registered in 1991, and was banned in February of 1992 by Supreme Court of RT. On August 12, 1999 in accordance with peace agreement was legalized. Chairman of IRP – Sayeed Abdullo Nuri is at the same time chairman of Commission for National Reconciliation. Superior organs: Congress (Anjuman) – to be convened not less than once in four years; between congresses the highest organ is the presidium of 33 members. Political platform of IRP – revival of high Islamic and ethnic values, democratic, legal and social development of the society. Membership – about 50,000. No permanent address at the moment. Telephone – 27-25-30, 27-53-93.

Socialist Party – registered on 08.06.1996. After death of chairman of the party – Safarali Kenjayev the duties of the leader are performed temporarily by his deputy Kurbon Vosse. Superior organs: a congress, to be convened not less than once in five years. Between congresses the highest authority belongs to a presidium. Political platform – construction of a legal, socially oriented state. Membership – over 24,000. Address: 30, Gafurov street Dushanbe

Party of Justice "Adolatkhoh" – registered on 02.26.1996. Chairman – Abdurahmon Karimov. The party is a collective member of Congress of People’s Unity of Tajikistan. Superior organ – a congress, to be convened not less than once in five years. Between the congresses, the presidium is the highest authority. Political platform – establishment of social justice in the society, assistance in building a legal state. Membership – more than ten thousand. Address: 44, Mira street, Kanibadam Telephone 2-58-38.

Democratic Party of Tajikistan. Registered in September of 1990. In February of 1993, Supreme Court of RT prohibited activity of DPT. Part of leadership, headed by Shodmon Yusuf, announced separation from United Tajik Opposition and was legalized on 07.20.1995. Azam Afzali – former deputy chairman of DPT was elected chairman of the party at its third congress. Superior organ – a congress, to be convened not less than once in four years; between congresses the highest authority belongs to presidium. Political platform – construction of a legal democratic state. Membership, by information of A.Afzali – over 13,000. Address: 42, Yakkachinor street Dushanbe

Democratic Party of Tajikistan (Almaty platform). Formed in June of 1995 by the leaders that remained part of UTO. Pretends for role of successor to the DPT registered in September of 1990 and banned in February of 1992. The Party was legalized on August 12, 1999 by decision of Supreme Court of RT. Ministry of Justice of RT refuses to legalize the party, because Tajik legislation prohibits existence of two parties with similar title. Chairman of DPT – chairman of State Concern Tajikcommunservice Mahmadruzi Iskandarov.