In support of candidacy of E.Rahmonov

Narodnaya Gazeta (No. 41) wrote that lately, the executive administration of president of RT has been receiving large number of letters and telegrams from labor collectives, organizations and individuals, supporting the candidacy of Emomali Rahmonov for presidency. Population of the country commend on the high qualities and the creative role in national unity, and urge to vote for the current president. Similar letters and appeals were received by press service of president of RT from Hukumats of Isfara, Chkalovsk, Nurek, Nav, Mastchoh, etc. a session of the Kofarnihon department of the Movement for National Unity and Revival of Tajikistan adopted an application to the population of the district for support of candidacy of E.Rahmonov at the elections in November.

Meeting at Central Election Commission

Narodnaya Gazeta (No.41) published information of Tajik Information Agency Khovar about rejection by CEC of the position of three alternative candidates for presidency – Davlat Ismonov, Sulton Kuvvatov, and Saifiddin Turayev. The article says that after the CEC made a decision on simplifying and extending the procedure for collecting signatures in support of the candidates, the three candidates, after consulting with their experts and heads of their organizations, undertook a new demarche and put forth new demands. One of the demands is holding an extraordinary session of Majlisi Oli of RT, for changing the date for election of president of the country. CEC, having considered and satisfied most of the demands, at the same time decided that the demand for the extraordinary session is not consistent and does not conform to the appropriate legislation. CEC warned the candidates that continuation of their inappropriate actions will be assessed as voluntary refusal of participating in elections, and Article 24 of Constitution Law of RT On Election of President of RT would come in force.

Politics in RT before elections: The fight goes on

Newspaper Biznes i Politika (No.41) published an article by politologist S.I.Sharipov, in which the author gives an estimation of political struggle for the post of president of Tajikistan. The author believes that the existing problems with collection of signatures in support of candidates are a kind of a method for attracting attention of the public, but at the same time he does not exclude the possibility of pressure on alternative candidates by officials in districts and in the center. By his opinion, that would, instead of helping the president to win the elections, indeed cause damage to his prestige of head of state. The author asks why, being aware of the forthcoming elections, the candidates did not get prepared in advance (without violation of legislation), so that only technical issues would be left unresolved; he also indicates the low level of knowledge of Tajik people of their programs and concepts for overcome of economic and social crises. In regard of the latest demarche of he candidates, S.Sharipov supposes that they might foresee their own defeat at the elections, which might have negative effect on their image, in view of the forthcoming elections to parliament. Therefore, they are making attempts to preserve the status quo. By opinion of the author, the elections will be held in the scheduled term – on November 6, 1999; though, it is very likely there will be only one candidate.

Emomali Rahmonov – the only candidate for the post of president of the country

Information agency Asia-Plus (A-P Blitz No.194) informed of completion of registration of candidates for the post of president of RT. Central Election Commission denied registration of Saifiddin Turayev, Sulton Kuvvatov and Davlat Ismonov as candidates for presidency. By information of Republican Radio, the decision on denial of registration was made in accordance with Article 25 of Constitutional Law on Elections, by a session of Central Election Commission on October 12. CEC noted that "even though the term for collection of signatures was extended twice, the pretenders failed to submit documents necessary for registration" thus, the only registered candidate for the post of president of RT is the current head of state, chairman of People’s Democratic Party of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmonov. Agency Asia-Plus reminds that candidacies of Saifiddin Turayev, Sulton Kuvvatov, Davlat Ismonov were nominated by Party Adolatkhoh (Justice), Democratic Party of Tajikistan (Tehran fraction) and Islamic Revival Party of Tajikistan respectively. Elections of new president of Tajikistan are planned for November 6, 1999.