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Tajikistan
At stake: Assembly of Representatives
Background
Following decades of Russian and Soviet influence, Tajikistan began its journey towards sovereignty in 1990. Soviet troops were sent to Dushambe and a state of emergency was declared after a series of large pro-democracy demonstrations. In 1991, the area’s administrator—Qahhor Makhkamov—resigned after supporting a failed coup against Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. Later that year, Tajikistan declared its independence and former communist Rahmon Nabiyev won the presidential election.
In 1992, new protests turned into civil war, as Islamist and pro-democracy groups fought forces loyal to the government. Emomali Rakhmonov took over as president from Nabiyev in November. The conflict would eventually claim 20,000 lives before a 1996 ceasefire brokered by the United Nations (UN).
Under Rakhmonov, all opposition political parties were banned, and the country’s media outlets fell under tight government control. The president earned another term in 1994, in an election criticized by international monitors for its low democratic standards.
In 1998, the president allowed opposition parties to operate once again in Tajikistan, appointing Islamist politician Ali Akbar Turadzhonzada as deputy prime minister. A year later, Rakhmonov dominated the presidential ballot with 97 per cent of the vote. In 2000, a bi-cameral parliament was introduced in elections that favoured the pro-presidential People’s Democratic Party (HDKT) and non-partisans loyal to Rakhmonov.
Following the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States in 2001, Tajikistan supported the war on terrorism and deployed additional guards to the border with Afghanistan. In 2003, a nationwide referendum allowed Rakhmonov to seek two more terms in office. Islamic Renaissance of Tajikistan (NIT) deputy leader Shamsiddin Shamsiddinov was arrested and charged with murder. NIT members suggested the charges were politically motivated.
In 2005, Tajikistan renewed its legislative branch, in an election deemed as "irregular" by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
Click here for 2005 Tajikistan Election Tracker
In the 2006 presidential election, Rakhmonov sought a new seven-year term in office. Other contenders included Ismail Talbakov of the Communist Party (CH), Amir Karakulov of the Agrarian Party, Olimzhon Boboev of the Economic Reforms Party, and Abdualim Gagarov of the Socialist Party (SH).
Rakhmonov is considered by many as anti-Semitic. He closed the only synagogue remaining in the country, and recently wrote a history book called "From Aryans to Samanids." The book calls for Tajiks to be proud of their association with Aryan civilization.
The NIT party decided not to field a candidate, citing several reasons, including the "imperfection of the electoral legislation." The Democratic Party (HD) and the Social Democratic Party (SDH) also opted to boycott the ballot, calling it "illegitimate."
Final results gave Rakhmonov 79.3 per cent of the vote. Boboev finished far behind with 6.2 per cent.
Click here for Tajikistan 2006 Presidential Election Tracker
In March 2007, Rakhmonov dropped the –ov ending of his last name and added an i to his first name, officially changing it to Emomalii Rahmon.
The –ov ending was added to many names when Tajikistan was part of the Soviet Union. The i following the name means of Rahmon. The president is now generally referred to as Imomali Rahmon. The president’s example led many people in the country to follow suit and drop the Russian-style ending on their names.
In the 2009 "Human Rights Report: Tajikistan", released by the United States Department of State, the country is described as "an authoritarian state" where "political life is dominated by President Emomalii Rahmon and his supporters."
2010 Assembly of Representatives Election
On Feb. 28, Tajiks are called to the ballot box to renew 63 seats in the lower house of the legislature.
Elections in Tajikistan have never been deemed completely free and fair by monitoring international organizations.
The governing People’s Democratic Party (HDKT), which supports Tajik president Imomali Rahmon, is widely expected to win the upcoming election.
Opposition parties include the Communist Party of Tajikistan (CH) and the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan (NIT).
On Jan. 11, representatives of the country’s telecommunication industry accused the government of shutting down a series of websites criticizing it. www.centrasia.ru and www.ariana.su are amongst the sites blocked in Tajikistan (they can still be read elsewhere).
Voting took place on Feb. 28. Preliminary results suggested an overwhelming victory for the ruling People’s Democratic Party of Tajikistan (HDKT) with more than 70 per cent of the vote.
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) coordinator Pia Christmas-Moeller said the election "failed on many basic democratic standards," including ballot box stuffing and proxy voting, adding, "Such serious irregularities weaken genuine democratic progress. There is still a long way to go, and hopefully the new parliament will take up this challenge."
Final results gave the People’s Democratic Party of Tajikistan 54 of the 63 seats at stake. A run-off featuring Nasrullo Mahmoudov of the ruling party and Social-Democratic Party member Shokirjon Hakimov will decide a vacant seat in the Konibodom constituency.
Political Players
President: Imomali Rahmon - HDKT
Prime minister: Akil Akilov - HDKT
The president is elected to a seven-year term by popular vote.
Legislative Branch: The Majlisi Oli (Parliament) has two chambers. The Majlisi Mamoyandogan (Assembly of Representatives) has 63 members, elected to five-year terms; 41 in single-seat constituencies and 22 by proportional representation. The Majlisi Milliy (National Assembly) has 33 members; 25 are elected to a five-year term by regional assemblies and eight are appointed by the president.
Results of Last Election:
President - Nov. 6, 2006
|
|
Vote% |
|
Emomali Rakhmonov - |
79.3% |
|
Olimzhon Boboev - |
6.2% |
|
Amir Karakulov - |
5.3% |
|
Ismail Talbakov - |
5.1% |
|
Abdualim Gagarov - |
2.8% |
Assembly of Representatives - Feb. 28 and Mar. 14, 2010
|
Vote% |
Seats |
|
|
People’s Democratic Party of Tajikistan |
71.04% |
54 |
|
Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan |
8.20% |
2 |
|
Communist Party of Tajikistan |
7.01% |
2 |
|
Agrarian Party of Tajikistan |
5.11% |
2 |
|
Party of Economic Reforms of Tajikistan |
5.06% |
2 |
|
Other parties |
3.58 |
-- |
|
Konibodom seat (to be decided on Mar. 14) |
-- |
1 |
