Review of press of RT February 7-11

The parliament marathon: Final lap

Newspaper Asia-Plus informed that Registration of candidates to Majlisi Namoyandagon and local Majlises ended on February 6. 233 candidates from 41 one-mandate election districts of the country were granted the right to run for the parliament. Thus, the average number of pretenders to each seat is 11 in MBAR (absolute record!), 6 – in Khatlon region, 4 – in Leninabad region and in Central Tajikistan, and 3 – in Dushanbe.

By the moment of publishing this article Central Commission for Elections and Referendum did not posses information on belonging of candidates from one-mandate districts to political parties. However, by information that A-P received from the party leaders, the list of the candidates includes about 40 representatives of PDPT, 14 members of Islamic Revival Party, 16 – Democratic Party, 5 – Socialist Party, 23 – Communist Party, and 3 – of Adolatkhoh. These are unofficial figures, which are still subject to changes. Some of representatives of the parties were denied registration in the last moment, and some would recall their candidatures by some reasons. Registration was denied in particular to a prominent politician Saifiddin Turayev, lawyer Rahmatullo Zoirov, businessman Ruslan Abdurahmanov, TV journalist Gavhar Umarova. Some of such pretenders are applying to CEC in regard of denial of registration.

One thing is evident – the future parliament, like the old one, will be predominantly male – there are only about 30 women among the 233 candidates.

PDPT is the leader by opinion of newspaper

Newspaper Vecherni Dushanbe published results of survey of opinion of 200 residents of Dushanbe. The respondents were asked the question "Who you would vote for if the elections were held this Sunday?". The People’s Democratic Part received 64 votes, Communist Party – 47, Democratic Party – 32, the Socialist Party – 26, the Islamic Revival Party – 19, and the Adolatkhoh – 12 votes.

12 pretenders to 4 seats in Dushanbe

information agency Asia-Plus reported that the city election commission of Dushanbe informed A-P that out of the 31 pretenders from the four election districts the commission registered only 12. Registration was denied to 19 pretenders. By information of the election commission, mistakes and violations were found in documents of most of pretenders. Oktiabrski district put forth the largest number of candidates – four to each seat. Among them are deputy chairman of Tax Committee of RT Asliddin Sohibnazarov, famous singer Saidkul Bilolov, and chairman of Hukumat of the district Naim Haitboyev. Zheleznodorozhni and Frunze districts registered three candidates each. Two candidates from Tsentralni district are chairman of Hukumat of the district Azamkul Eshonkulov and chairman of Society of Koreans of Tajikistan Victor Kim.

Newspaper does not like the election promotion of candidates

Newspaper Vecherni Dushanbe published the article "Advertising pause in election campaign". By opinion of the newspaper, election promotion campaign in our times should be a colorful show. The authors consider that the promotion and information on elections on TV and in newspapers are bleak and dull. Political promotion should be entertaining, with use of music, songs, etc. the newspaper expresses hope that the time remaining till the elections would be used by participants of the elections for combination of the outer look and contents of the election promotion.

CEC decided to allow use of non-budget funds in election campaign

Newspaper Asia-Plus informed that Central Commission for Elections and Referendum decided to allow the candidates use of non-budget funds in their election campaign. Now political parties can use up to TR4 million (about $2,300), and independent candidates – up to TR500,000 (about $240) in their campaign. By opinion of the newspaper, the wise decision of the CEC would allow the candidates legally finance campaign activities – information, promotion, meetings with electorate. The state, in its turn, can monitor use of the funds by the candidates. The newspaper reminds that earlier the election campaign would be financed by the state budget in miserable amounts.