Newsroom
Elections in Tajikistan fail to meet key international standards
DUSHANBE 28 February 2005
DUSHANBE, 28 February 2005 - The parliamentary election process in Tajikistan failed to meet many OSCE commitments and other international standards for democratic elections.
A number of important improvements to the electoral process were undercut by poor implementation and widespread irregularities on election day, concluded the Election Observation Mission of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR Mission) in Tajikistan for the 27 February parliamentary elections.
The Mission consisted of over 150 observers from some 30 OSCE participating States, who were deployed throughout the country.
"The overall process was a disappointment", said Peter Eicher, Head of the OSCE/ODIHR Mission. "We had great hopes for the election because of improvements in the legal framework and the participation of six parties and many candidates. Regrettably, however, there was too much official control over the political campaign, too many government officials directing election commissions and a pattern of government interference with the independent press. Although a great many election officials worked hard and did their jobs well, election day procedures in a disturbingly high number of areas were not conducted honestly," he added.
The Mission noted some improvements in the election law, but regretted that many of these were undermined by inadequate implementation. For example, the law's stipulations on the independence of election commissions and prohibition on interference in their work were undercut by the appointment of a great many local officials as election commissioners, bringing into question the independence of the election administration. Moreover, election commissions across the board lacked political balance.
In general, the candidate registration process was reasonably administered, but at least two prominent political leaders were denied registration on grounds contrary to international standards. The high deposit for candidate registration greatly limited the number of candidates who could run, especially women. The effective closure of several newspapers curtailed freedom of expression.
On the positive side, election day was calm and peaceful. The variety of political parties and candidates offered voters a choice and state media was reasonably balanced in its news coverage.
Voting and counting procedures should have been substantially improved by the introduction of important safeguards such as transparent ballot boxes, ballot security features, the use of ink to complete protocols, and requirements to provide protocols to observers, as well as a good programme of training for election officials. In practice, however, legal procedures were often disregarded. Proxy voting was a serious and widespread problem. Observers witnessed numerous instances of manipulation during the vote counting and the tabulation of votes at District Election Commissions. In many instances, observers were obstructed in their work.
The Mission focused on the legal framework for elections, election administration, the political campaign, and the role of the media. It met extensively with candidates and representatives of political parties, government officials, electoral authorities, the media and civil society.
The OSCE/ODIHR will continue to follow the election process, and will issue a Final Report, including recommendations, approximately six weeks after its completion.
A number of important improvements to the electoral process were undercut by poor implementation and widespread irregularities on election day, concluded the Election Observation Mission of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR Mission) in Tajikistan for the 27 February parliamentary elections.
The Mission consisted of over 150 observers from some 30 OSCE participating States, who were deployed throughout the country.
"The overall process was a disappointment", said Peter Eicher, Head of the OSCE/ODIHR Mission. "We had great hopes for the election because of improvements in the legal framework and the participation of six parties and many candidates. Regrettably, however, there was too much official control over the political campaign, too many government officials directing election commissions and a pattern of government interference with the independent press. Although a great many election officials worked hard and did their jobs well, election day procedures in a disturbingly high number of areas were not conducted honestly," he added.
The Mission noted some improvements in the election law, but regretted that many of these were undermined by inadequate implementation. For example, the law's stipulations on the independence of election commissions and prohibition on interference in their work were undercut by the appointment of a great many local officials as election commissioners, bringing into question the independence of the election administration. Moreover, election commissions across the board lacked political balance.
In general, the candidate registration process was reasonably administered, but at least two prominent political leaders were denied registration on grounds contrary to international standards. The high deposit for candidate registration greatly limited the number of candidates who could run, especially women. The effective closure of several newspapers curtailed freedom of expression.
On the positive side, election day was calm and peaceful. The variety of political parties and candidates offered voters a choice and state media was reasonably balanced in its news coverage.
Voting and counting procedures should have been substantially improved by the introduction of important safeguards such as transparent ballot boxes, ballot security features, the use of ink to complete protocols, and requirements to provide protocols to observers, as well as a good programme of training for election officials. In practice, however, legal procedures were often disregarded. Proxy voting was a serious and widespread problem. Observers witnessed numerous instances of manipulation during the vote counting and the tabulation of votes at District Election Commissions. In many instances, observers were obstructed in their work.
The Mission focused on the legal framework for elections, election administration, the political campaign, and the role of the media. It met extensively with candidates and representatives of political parties, government officials, electoral authorities, the media and civil society.
The OSCE/ODIHR will continue to follow the election process, and will issue a Final Report, including recommendations, approximately six weeks after its completion.