DUSHANBE, October 4, 2013, Asia-Plus -- The ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is holding its pre-election congress today.

More than 1,000 delegates from all regions of the country are reportedly attending the congress that began at Philharmonic Society in Dushanbe at 10:00 am.

The party leader Emomali Rahmon does not attend the congress.

Founded in 1993, the People’s Democratic Party is the largest political party in Tajikistan, boasting more than 230,000 registered members.  Incumbent President Emomali Rahmon is chairman of the party.  The PDPT now controls some 65 percent of the seats in parliament (45 of 63 seats).

We will recall that the Union of Youth of Tajikistan and the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Tajikistan have supported incumbent President Emomali Rahmon as a presidential candidate.

President Emomali Rahmon, who has been leader of Tajikistan since 1992, is running for a fourth term.