The last session of Majlisi Oli on June 31, 1999 adopted the draft of amendments in the acting Constitution of the Republic of Tajikistan, prepared, in accordance with General Agreement on Peace, by Commission for National Reconciliation. September 26 was set as the day for the referendum.
The draft of amendments proposes new language of Article 28 of Constitution of Tajikistan, which defines that "citizens have a right for participation in forming political parties, including those of democratic, religious and atheist character...".
It is proposed to create a bicameral parliament - consisting of Majlisi Milli (national convention) and Majlisi Namoyandagon (chamber of representatives). Majlisi Namoyandagon shall be elected through general, secret, equal and direct vote, and would act on permanent and professional basis. Three quarters of Majlisi Milli shall be elected by secret vote at meetings of people's deputies of local representative organs of regions, cities and districts, of city of Dushanbe and its districts, cities and districts of Republican subordination (jointly). Equal representation is planned for all regions, the city of Dushanbe and districts of Republican subordination. One-fourth of members of Majlisi Milli would be appointed by President of RT. Majlisi Milli would function on session base, to be convened by chairman of Majlisi Milli not less than twice a year. Deputies of Majlisi Namoyandagon are prohibited membership in other representative organs, including Majlisi Milli. Members of Majlisi Milli can be members in one more representative organ. The size of both chambers will need to be determined by Constitutional law.
Majlisi Milli has the authority to form, disband and change administrative-territorial units, elect and recall chairpersons, deputies and judges of Constitutional Court, Supreme Court, High Economic Court, Prosecutor General and his deputies, by recommendation of President, etc.
The main function of the Majlisi Namoyandagon is legislation. It would independently adopt the law on state budget. The mechanism of adopting other laws is as follows: drafts of laws would be proposed to Majlisi Namoyandagon for discussion and adoption. The adopted laws should be approved by majority of members of Majlisi Milli, after which they should be signed by President. In case Majlisi Milli rejects the law it should be returned to Majlisi Namoyandagon, where it should be supported by not less than two thirds of total number of deputies. In this case, too, the law should be then submitted to President. In a case where the President disagrees with the law or part of it, he can return it, within fifteen days, with his arguments, to the Majlisi Namoyandagon. At the second discussion, the law should be approved in original language by not less than two thirds of both chambers. After that, President must sign it within ten days. The mechanism for adoption of Constitutional laws is the same, with the difference that they should be adopted by two thirds of total number of deputies of both chambers, and the veto of President can be overcome by 75% of deputies of both chambers. Interpretation of the Constitution will be provided by Majlisi Oli (Article 61, paragraph 3) in the same order as Constitutional laws are adopted.
Article 65 proposes prolonging term of action of President to seven years. The President would get the right to determine basic directions in internal and foreign policies (Article 69, paragraph 1), which earlier was the authority of Majlisi Oli; independently form and dismiss ministries (Article 69, paragraph 3); determine the monetary system, informing the parliament (Article 69, paragraph 16); recommend to Majlisi Namoyandagon candidacies of chairman, his deputy, and members of Central Commission for Elections and Referendums in Tajikistan (Article 57, paragraph 1); the right to form Council of Justice (Article 69, paragraph 12), by recommendation of which President would appoint and dismiss judges of military, regional, city and district courts and judges of economic courts of regions and of city of Dushanbe (Article 69, paragraph 13); the right to appoint heads of diplomatic missions and representations of the Republic in other countries (Article 69, paragraph 19); independently initiate referendums (Article 69, paragraph 14).
By decree of Majlisi Oli, the people are proposed to vote for the whole draft.