A proposal to amend parliamentary election laws in Tajikistan was presented to the President, the Chairman of the Islamic Revival Party and the Chairman of the Communist Party for submission to the Majlisi Oli, the country's parliament. These amendments address local organizations’ election observation rights and the equal representation of registered political parties in election management bodies.

This proposal resulted from a collaboration of representatives from all eight registered political parties, the presidential apparatus, the Parliament, the Central Commission for Elections and Referenda (CCER), and the Center for Strategic Research. Meetings began early December 2008 when IFES conducted its third Joint Stakeholders Strategy Meeting, moderated by IFES Election Law and Parliamentary Specialist Daniel Stoyanov.

IFES has been working with numerous stakeholders to draft amendments to parliamentary election laws and ultimately to see these progressive measures adopted by the Majlisi Oli. The fact that these disparate parties convened to discuss how to improve the system by consensus is unprecedented in Tajikistan. Nontheless, according to Stoyanov pessimism permeated the room at the outset as representatives of various political parties expressed skepticism that a new electoral code could be adopted without the expressed permission of President Rahmon. However, those representing the President and the ruling People’s Democratic Party of Tajikistan (PDPT), set a more positive tone as they pledged their readiness to work with IFES and other parties to see amendments passed.

 

Discussions centered on how suggested amendments developed last summer by the IFES-organized Election Law Working Group could be presented as an official legislative proposal in the Majlisi Oli. The participants also talked about how this process would ensue and the steps to be taken in light of approaching 2010 parliamentary elections.

With a greater sense of optimism, the group voted to submit the proposed set of amendments to the President and to the Chairmen of the Islamic Revival Party and Communist Party for submission to the Majlisi Oli. These proposals must now be considered by parliament.