DUSHANBE, November 7, Asia-Plus - Representatives from the CIS election observation mission that monitored Monday’s election in Tajikistan have noted that the election is an important factor contributing to stable development and further democratization of the country’s life.  

The CIS Executive Secretary Vladimir Rushailo heading the CIS election observation mission today told journalists that the Tajik presidential election had been held in compliance with the country’s election law.  "All polling stations were equipped with the necessary documentation," he said.  "They all had booths and ballot boxes, which had been sealed in accordance with the existing legislation.”  “We therefore consider that the polls were free and transparent and proceeded in accordance with the election law of Tajikistan."

Rushailo also noted that inconsiderable violations had been reported at some polling stations.  “Thus, at some polling stations of constituencies ## 3, 8, 26, and polling stations ## 9 and 10 of constituency # 8, the final lists of voters had not been prepared by the date fixed.  Besides, at some polling stations the lists of voters were not signed by heads and secretaries of the electoral commissions,” the CIS executive secretary said.  “The mentioned shortcomings were removed by the electoral commissions immediately.”   

Rushailo also pointed to the necessity of further improvement and more precise definition of separate provisions of Tajikistan’s Constitutional Law “On the Election of the President of the Republican of Tajikistan.” 

He, in particular noted, that the CIS observers have considered it expedient to make changes to Article 65 of the Constitution and Article 25 of the Constitutional Law “On the Election of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan”, which concern the collection of 5 percent of signatures of a total number of voters to register a candidate for president.  “The CIS election observation mission shares an opinion that it is necessary to lower the number of signatures needed to register the candidate,” said Rushailo, “It is also needed to define more precisely the law’s provisions on formation of electoral commissions at all levels.”  

The CIS election observation mission to monitor the November 6 presidential election in Tajikistan comprised 236 people, presenting Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.  The CIS observers monitored the voting process in 56 of 68 constituencies set up for the election.