Meeting of President of RT Emomali Rahmonov and General Secretary of OSCE Jan Kubis

Information agency Asia-Plus and newspaper Asia-Plus informed of the meeting between President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmonov and General Secretary of OSCE Jan Kubis, who arrived in RT on February 2 with a working visit. The meeting took place on February 3. In January, Jan Kubis was also appointed the Special Representative of Acting Chairman of OSCE Wolfgang Schussel in Central Asia. At the meeting, E.Rahmonov confirmed preparedness of RT to continue cooperation and collaboration with OSCE in issues of creation and perfection of democratic institutes in Tajik society. Press secretary of head of state Zafar Saidov said that E.Rahmonov expressed interest in possible assistance of OSCE in post-conflict rehabilitation and development of the country. He wished that OSCE assist in successful conducting of the elections to Majlisi Oli. President of RT E.Rahmonov stated that as the head of state and the guarantor of constitutional rights of the people he would do everything to ensure that the elections are fair, democratic and free. By information of Asia-Plus, the program of the visit includes meetings of Jan Kubis with Minister of Foreign Affairs Talbak Nazarov, chairman of Commission for National Reconciliation Sayeed Abdullo Nuri and leaders of political parties of RT. Tomorrow morning, General Secretary of OSCE will depart for Khojand, to take part in the formal opening of representation of OSCE in the region.

272 pretenders for 41 seats

Newspaper Vecherni Dushanbe informed that 272 candidates to Majlisi Namoyandagon – the lower chamber of the new parliament were proposed in 41 one-mandate election districts. The newspaper reminds that registration of candidates will end on February 6, and the trustees will be granted the right to begin promotion of their candidates in special TV programs.

Promotion groups formed

Newspaper Vecherni Dushanbe informed that five groups of representatives of Central Election Commission were formed in Hissor district, consisting of professional lawyers. These groups inform the population of the district of the correct procedures of voting, of the mechanism and importance of the forthcoming elections. The newspaper reminds that more than 100,000 residents of Hissor district have a right to vote in the elections.

The record number of candidates in Kulob

Agency Asia-Plus informed that a two-day seminar was held in Kulob in connection to forthcoming elections of the parliament. The seminar was initiated by regional and city Hukumats, the Center for Support of Citizen Initiatives and Counterpart Consortium. As the Hukumat of Kulob informed, the seminar gathered chairpersons and secretaries of local election commissions. This is already the fourth seminar of this kind. The staff of regional election commission believe that it shows the active preparation for the important political event. The number of pretenders to each seat in the parliament had reached 11. The election commission admits that the second round of election might become necessary.

Possibility of violating the Law on Elections

Newspaper Asia-Plus published the article of Umed Babakhanov and Marat Mamadshoyev "Would the future legislators violate the Law on Elections?» The authors analyzed the financial aspect of election campaign. Tajik legislation obliges candidates conduct their election campaign with funds from the state budget, and prohibits funding and material support from any other sources. By opinion of the authors, financing provided by the state budget is not enough for the campaign, which might force the pretenders violate election legislation.

Free assistance of embassy of Iran to Central Election Commission

Agency Asia-Plus informed that the embassy of Islamic Republic of Iran provided assistance to the Central Commission for Elections and Referendum – 20 tons of paper, for the amount of $15,000. The paper was presented to representatives of the CEC.

Arrival of representative of State Duma

Agency Asia-Plus informed of the arrival, with a work visit, of head of department of coordination procedures of organizational department of State Duma of Russia Nikolai Isayev. By information of Majlisi Oli of RT, the main goal of the visit, organized by the Inter-Parliament Union and UN Development Program, is consultative activity, in particular assistance in working out the regulations for the two chambers of the future two-chamber parliament. The work is carried out in cooperation with the staff of the apparatus of Majlisi Oli of RT and representatives of UN Development Program in RT. The drafts of regulations for Majlisi Namoyandagon and Majlisi Milli will then be submitted to the two chambers after they are elected.