OSCE/ODIHR opens election observation mission for parliamentary elections in Tajikistan

DUSHANBE, 20 January 2015 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today formally opened an election observation mission (EOM) for the 1 March parliamentary elections in the Republic of Tajikistan. The mission’s deployment follows an official invitation from the Tajikistan authorities.

The mission is led by Miklos Haraszti and consists of a core team of 14 experts based in Dushanbe. In addition, 16 long-term observers from OSCE participating States will be deployed throughout the country in teams of two, from 24 January 2015. In addition, ODIHR will request 150 short-term observers to monitor proceedings on election day.

The mission will observe the elections for their compliance with OSCE commitments, other international obligations and standards for democratic elections and with national legislation. Observers will closely monitor the candidate and voter registration, campaign activities, the work of the election administration and relevant governmental bodies, election-related legislation and its implementation, the media environment and the resolution of election-related disputes. As part of the observation, the mission will also monitor the media coverage of the campaign.

In the course of its observation, the mission will meet with representatives from state authorities, political parties and candidates, and with representatives from civil society, the media and the international community.

On election day, observers will monitor the opening of polling stations, voting, the counting of ballots and the tabulation of results. For election day, the OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission will join efforts with a delegation from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly.

A statement of preliminary findings and conclusions will be issued on the day after the election. A final report on the observation of the entire electoral process will be published approximately two months after the completion of the election process.

The OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission and the OSCE Office in Tajikistan operate separately under their respective mandates.

For further information please visit //www.osce.org/odihr/elections/tajikistan  or contact Claudia Aranda, Media Analyst of the election observation mission, on +992 98 7360097  (mobile) or at [email protected] (email) or Thomas Rymer, ODIHR Spokesperson, on + 48 609 522 266 (mobile) or at [email protected] (email)