Dushanbe, June 6, “Asia Plus”. International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) began implementation of a new project entitled, “Professional assistance in conducting and reforming elections in the Republic of Tajikistan.”

Representatives of all 8 registered political parties, members of the Central Election Commission on Elections and Referendum, representatives of the Center of Strategic Research under the President of Tajikistan, and independent experts took part in the commencement of the project, held today in Dushanbe.

Tigran Karapetyan, keynote speaker and IFES expert, explained the charge of the working group to be formed. With upcoming parliamentary elections in 2010, the working group will develop and recommend changes and amendments in the law regarding Majlisi Oli, the Parliament of the Republic of Tajikistan.

 “This is not the only topic of focus for the working group,” stated Karapetyan. “We also want to draw out the needs of the people and also reform regulations for the next presidential elections.”

According to Karapetyan, the working group will meet each Thursday, starting June 12, 2008. The working group consists of one member from each political party, Parliament, Central Election Commission, the government, and from civil society. He also encouraged the participation of media as observers to maintain transparency and legitimacy of the process.