The Central Commission for Elections and Referenda (CCER) has set April 18 as the date for by-elections to the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament) in Devashtich, Balkhi and Vakhsh constituencies. 

Parliamentarians representing these constituencies in the Majlisi Namoyandagon resigned in connection with the appointment to the posts in the ruling party and the government.

Zufar Ismoilzoda, who represented Devashtich district in the Majlisi Namoyandagon, was appointed to head the Central Executive Committee of the organization of the ruling People’s Democratic Party in Sughd province.   

Hokim Kholiqzoda, who represented Balkhi district in the Majlisi Namoyandagon, was appointed the Chairman of the National Bank of Tajikistan (NBT).  

Bakhtovar Safarzoda, who represented Vakhsh district in the Majlisi Namoyandagon, was appointed the Permanent Representative of Tajikistan in the Interparliamentary Assembly of the CIS.

All of them are members of the ruling People’s Democratic Party of Tajikistan.  

Deputies of the Majlisi Namoyandagon are elected on the basis of universal, free, equal, and direct elections by means of secret ballot.

Under the country’s legislation, the CCER holds parliamentary by-elections within three months after resignation of parliamentarians.