SCO observers recognize parliamentary elections in Tajikistan as democratic

The elections in Tajikistan have become an important step towards further development of democracy  in the country, SCO Under-Secretary General Nurlan Akkoshkarov told reporters in Dushanbe on March 2.

According to him, conditions created by Tajikistan for voters, candidates, political parties and international observers indicate that the country’s authorities tried to ensure utmost openness, transparency and democracy of the elections.   

“The elections met all the requirements of the country’s election legislation and international commitments,” Akkoshkarov added.   

Elections to the country’s lower chamber (Majlisi Namoyandagon) of parliament and local councils (Majlises) took place in Tajikistan on March 1, 2020. 

The Central Commission for Elections and Referenda (CCER) of Tajikistan said the elections were open and transparent with no violations of the law revealed.  

Meanwhile, Tajik political scientist Parviz Mullojonov told Eurasianet that “These elections mean nothing for the government, for MPs and for the population itself.  Parliament is a body of secondary importance, it has no impact and represents nothing of interest.”.

Mullojonov reportedly anticipates a facsimile legislature.  “The results are already known – it will be the same parliament we have now,” he said.

The deputy chairman of the Social-Democratic Party of Tajikistan (SDPT), Shokirjon Hakimov, told Eurasianet on February 28 that their party only received formal clearance to participate in the elections 18 days before the vote. That has limited the scope of its campaigning.

However,  Hakimov is optimistic. Some might even say deluded.

“If the elections are transparent and fair, as the president has promised, there is a chance that we could end up in parliament,” he said.

According to Eurasianet, Temur Varki, a spokesman for the exile-run coalition of opposition groups National Alliance of Tajikistan, or NAT, said that they decided after much debate to endorse the SDPT.