The law on Elections needs changes and amendments

On 24 June, in Dushanbe, Tajik parliamentarians discussed proposals on changes and amendments to the law of the republic of Tajikistan “On elections to Majlisi Oli (parliament)”. The working group works on the implementation of a project “Professional assistance and reforming of elections in Tajikistan”.

Members of the working group – parliamentarians, representatives of political parties, political experts – discussed proposals on amendments to this law. Participants noted that the Tajik law on elections to the parliament does not meet requirements regarding international observers, access to protocols of election commissions, increase in the number of parliamentarians, etc.

Shokirjon Khakimov, deputy chairman of Tajikistan’s Social Democratic Party says that his party came up with draft amendments to 33 articles of the law. “The essence of our proposals reduces to ensuring independence of the system of elections, - said Khakinov. - The proposed amendments would guarantee fair representation of all political parties in the parliament and in election commissions. They allow to establish precise timeframes for consideration of complaints; to increase the number of parliamentarians in order to represent all social groups and regions of Tajikistan”.

The meeting was also attended by Tigran Karapatian, expert of the International Fund of Election Systems (IFES) in Tajikistan, who told the participants about the project’s goals and the tasks for the working group.


Inter Press Service

Date: 25.12.2007