The main conflict situations in the election campaign in Tajikistan were related to nomination and registration of candidates for presidency. The alternative candidates constantly accused the Central Commission for Elections and Referendum of RT and other power structures of restricting their rights.

In end of September, three candidates for presidency – Saifiddin Turayev, Davlat Usmonov and Sulton Kuvvatov stated at the joint press conference that numerous violations of laws took place in procedures of nominating and registering. They said that executive authorities in districts created obstacles in work of initiative groups and representatives of alternative candidates, by making demands that are not defined in any laws. The pretenders demanded that an extraordinary session of Majlisi Oli be gathered, with the purpose of prolonging terms for registering candidates for the post of president. By their common opinion, presidential elections must be conducted under supervision of UN and OSCE. They stated that if the demands are not fulfilled they would have to boycott the elections. Similar demands were made by leader of Islamic Revival Party of Tajikistan, chairman of Commission for National Reconciliation Sayeed Abdullo Nuri, in his open letter to chairman of Central Election Commission Mirzoali Boltuyev. The violations that the alternative candidates referred to probably really had happened, because the CEC, bypassing the Law on Election of President, had twice extended the term for registration. However, the decision of CEC did not satisfy the candidates, who continued insisting on their original demands. On October 11, presidium of United Tajik Opposition recalled from CEC its representatives who were included in it in accordance with peace agreements. By opinion of UTO, CEC ignored the illegal actions of authorities hindering work of initiative groups. Besides, UTO expressed dissatisfaction with the fact that the 25% quota for representation did not cover local and district election commissions. On October 21, the Supreme Court of Tajikistan, having considered the complaint of the candidates on decision of CEC denying them registration, recommended that CEC register Davlat Usmonov as a candidate for the post of President of RT, because D.Usmonov had collected the required number of signatures in his support by October 12. The rest of the decision of CEC was left without changes. Thus, the Supreme Court in fact admitted the truthfulness of the facts stated by representatives of the candidates. The candidates, including Davlat Usmonov, though, were not again satisfied with the decision, even though he was registered as a candidate at the meeting of CEC on October 22. S.A.Nuri, who is chairman of the election committee of D.Usmonov, said that by October 12 only 82,690 signatures were collected. He also said that if the CEC were prepared to register D.Usmonov under these terms that would be another violation of law. D.Usmonov himself said that he considers decisions of Supreme Court and CEC political but not legal solution of the problem. On October 28, S.A.Nuri addressed an open letter to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, the OSCE High Commissioner for National Minorities Max Van Der Stool, heads of guarantor states on implementation of the General Agreement on Peace in Tajikistan, urging them "interfere in the process of elections of president of the country and assist in conducting the elections on really alternative basis, in free, fair and democratic atmosphere". The official reaction of UN and OSCE to the events is still not known, though representatives of the two most influential international organizations actively mediated between CEC and the candidates. The Human Rights Watch assessed all the events as a farce. The US ambassador in RT Robert Finn stated at the meeting with media on October 20 the concern of his government about the situation around the candidates for the forthcoming presidential elections. He said that the existing regulations and, probably, administrative obstacles in the process of promoting the candidates create an impression that the elections might not be held in free and fair way.

Tajik politologist analyzes the latest events in election campaign

Newspaper Biznes i Politika published an article of politologist Suhrob Sharipov commenting to the latest events in registration of candidates for presidency in RT. The author noted the great role of UN and OSCE in development of the events. By his opinion, registration of alternative candidate Davlat Usmonov is a concession to recommendations of these influential international organizations, because, by his opinion, it is not clear on which laws the decision in favor of the claimant was made. S.Sharipov asked a question why only D.Usmonov was registered and S.Turayev and S.Kuvvatov were denied registration. He supposes that such a selective attitude to the candidates is based on the fact that UN and OSCE pay a lot of attention to harmonizing relations between the government and the UTO, and only after that they take into account other structures. All these events demonstrate that political processes in RT are unpredictable, do not have logical sequence, and are far from perfect.

CEC will have its last meeting before the elections of president

Information agency Asia-Plus informed that the CEC will have, on October 28, its last meeting before the elections of president, scheduled for November 6. The agency referred to information by chairman of CEC Mirzoali Boltuyev. M.Boltuyev invited the IRP candidate Davlat Usmonov visit the CEC to receive the certificate of registration as a candidate for presidency. He also invited representatives of UNMOT and OSCE to the meeting.

Meeting of President of RT with chairman of CNR

Information agency Asia-Plus informed that President of RT Emomali Rahmonov met, on November 1, with chairman of CNR, leader of Islamic Revival Party S.A.Nuri. Press secretary of head of state Zafar Saidov said that the Tajik leaders discussed problems of the final stage of peace process. First deputy chairman of Majlisi Oli, deputy chairman of CNR Abdulmajid Dostiyev took part in the meeting.

Meeting of President E.Rahmonov with representatives of public

Information agency Asia-Plus informed that President of RT E.Rahmonov met, at the Vahdat complex in Dushanbe, with representatives of the public. In his three-hour speech, the head of state gave detailed summary of the seven years of development of RT since obtaining independence, the current situation, and put forth his position in regard of future of the country in aspects of internal and foreign policies. He called development of relations with Russia and other countries of CIS one of main directions in foreign policies of the country.