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OSCE co-organizes election law reform discussions in Tajikistan
DUSHANBE 11 June 2004
DUSHANBE, 11 June 2004 - Reform of the electoral system in Tajikistan was the topic of a high-profile roundtable held here yesterday, co-organized by the OSCE Centre in Dushanbe. It drew more than 100 participants, including Government officials, members of parliament, political party leaders, journalists, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and representatives of the international community.
Participants discussed the legal guarantees for democratic elections in Tajikistan and raised key issues such as the appointment of election observers, the composition of the Election Commissions, and the financial regulations of the election campaign.
Ambassador Yves Bargain, Head of the OSCE Centre in Dushanbe, stressed the special attention the Centre gives to reform of the election law, with parliamentary elections due to take place in Tajikistan in early 2005.
He reminded the roundtable that the OSCE and its election experts in the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) have provided assessments of the different draft laws put forward by factions of political parties.
"We have provided these assessments in order to assist Tajik authorities in their efforts to improve the legal framework for elections, meet the OSCE commitments and comply with international standards", said Ambassador Bargain.
Issomiddin Salohiddinov, Senior Adviser to President Emamoli Rakhmonov, concluded that the roundtable was an important opportunity to discuss the law, before its adoption by the Parliament. The Tajik Parliament is expected to vote next week on amendments to the current legislation.
A meaningful dialogue was initiated between Tajik authorities and political parties during the roundtable, which reminded the parliamentarians of the need for Tajikistan to adopt a law able to ensure free, fair and transparent elections.
The roundtable was organized in co-operation with the United Nations Tajikistan Office of Peacebuilding, the embassies of the United States, Britain and Germany, and two NGOs: the International Foundation for Election Systems and the National Democratic Institute.
Participants discussed the legal guarantees for democratic elections in Tajikistan and raised key issues such as the appointment of election observers, the composition of the Election Commissions, and the financial regulations of the election campaign.
Ambassador Yves Bargain, Head of the OSCE Centre in Dushanbe, stressed the special attention the Centre gives to reform of the election law, with parliamentary elections due to take place in Tajikistan in early 2005.
He reminded the roundtable that the OSCE and its election experts in the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) have provided assessments of the different draft laws put forward by factions of political parties.
"We have provided these assessments in order to assist Tajik authorities in their efforts to improve the legal framework for elections, meet the OSCE commitments and comply with international standards", said Ambassador Bargain.
Issomiddin Salohiddinov, Senior Adviser to President Emamoli Rakhmonov, concluded that the roundtable was an important opportunity to discuss the law, before its adoption by the Parliament. The Tajik Parliament is expected to vote next week on amendments to the current legislation.
A meaningful dialogue was initiated between Tajik authorities and political parties during the roundtable, which reminded the parliamentarians of the need for Tajikistan to adopt a law able to ensure free, fair and transparent elections.
The roundtable was organized in co-operation with the United Nations Tajikistan Office of Peacebuilding, the embassies of the United States, Britain and Germany, and two NGOs: the International Foundation for Election Systems and the National Democratic Institute.