Since 1996, IFES has assisted Tajikistani educators to develop a program to educate active citizens, conducted survey research, and advised political parties and the central election commission on ways to strengthen the country’s electoral processes. Few U.S. democracy development organizations are able to operate in Tajikistan, but IFES has a history of professional, non-threatening assistance and cooperation that allows it to have an impact.

Like all of Central Asia, Tajikistan faces difficulties in its democratic development. A single party and individual dominate, discouraging competition; the economy is in shambles; corruption is endemic. However, unlike some of its neighbors, Tajikistan has an opposition party, the Islamic Renaissance Party, that is gaining traction. Whether the ruling party will accept this political challenge remains questionable. Parliamentary elections on February 28, 2010, reinforced the People’s Democratic Party’s dominance, though two new parties won seats, raising the number of parties represented in the Majlisi Oli to five.