Michael Getto, IFES Chief of Party in Tajikistan, comments on the February 28 parliamentary election:

"Tajikistan conducted elections for its lower house of parliament as well as for local councils on February 28th.  Voter turnout was officially reported at 85.2 percent as Tajikistani citizens went to the polls to determine the composition of the next 63-member Majlisi Namoyandagon and elected officials at the local level.  Preliminary results released by the Central Commission for Elections and Referenda indicate that the ruling People's Democratic Party won over 70 percent of the vote cast for parliament with four other parties either clearing the five percent election threshold or winning single-mandate constituencies.

"The elections were peaceful, relatively orderly and it appears they might help advance democracy in Tajikistan; however, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's Office for Democracy Institutions and Human Rights notes in its preliminary election report that Tajikistan fell short of many OSCE standards for free and fair elections. 

"Specifically, OSCE/ODIHR report noted the prevalence of family and proxy voting, subpar election administration at all levels -- particularly at the precinct level -- and biased television coverage of the election campaign as negative elements of the campaign process.

"IFES conducted nationwide scientific survey research, extensive voter education and political party training as part of a comprehensive program to support the elections."