OSCE Elections Watchdog Assesses Conditions for Presidential Elections in Tajikistan
Tajikistan has been a member of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) since February 1992. Membership to the organization was a great asset for the young Central Asian country struggling to stand the test of independence and preserve internal unity. On the other hand, OSCE’s close attention made the government at least care about its international commitments. In particular, it had to tolerate OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) observers during all presidential and parliamentary elections in the country.
These observers were usually not very supportive of Tajikistan’s approach to elections. Moreover, ODIHR reported that all elections in the country fell short of OSCE commitments and international elections standards.
With the upcoming presidential election scheduled for November 6, things can change. Tajikistan has a chance to run the election that will be appraised by the ODIHR as free and fair.
However, prior to the election, the report issued by ODIHR’s needs assessment mission suggested that little has hanged since the last election.
The report warns of the “increasing consolidation of power by President Emomali Rahmonov” and the People’s Democratic Party. The other seven parties registered in the country “appear to have limited capacities, and some are struggling with internal divisions”.
Analyzing legislative framework for the conduct of election, the report indicates that the election law still needs to be improved in order to satisfy OSCE commitments and other international election standards. “The legal framework does not establish an election administration that is pluralistic, inclusive, free from the control of government authorities, and genuinely independent,” report notes. Shortcomings in the law also allow local authorities to interfere in the election process.
Assessing the media situation in the country, the report observes that the state-controlled media, particularly television, does not provide access or coverage to opposition parties. Besides, the authorities tend to use the revocation of licenses and closure of printing houses “as a frequent tool to ensure self-censorship and lack of critical journalism”.
In addition, report suggests that the legislation does not allow domestic non-partisan individuals and organizations to observe the election.
These shortcomings will not necessarily hinder conduct of free and fair election. Political will is what ensures conducting very democratic and transparent elections in the most undemocratic conditions. The upcoming presidential election will thus confirm whether or not this political will on the part of the government of Emomali Rakhmonov exists.
on October 6th, 2006 at 4:22 pm
Are you referring to political will on the part of the opposition parties, or the president? Are you saying that given adequate political willpower, the corruption is irrelevant because the opposition will not tolerate the adverse conditions, or because Rakhmonov has the ability to ensure a fair election despite the corruption in his own country?
I’m not sure I quite understand the your point in the last paragraph, but am interested in any clarification you could provide.
on October 7th, 2006 at 12:05 pm
James,
What I mean is that Rakhmonov’s administration can conduct free and fair election, in line with all international standards and commitments, if they are willing to do so. Elections in Armenia show that even with terrible election legislation in place, the country can run pretty good and transparent elections.
So, I mean that the political will should exist on the part of Rakhmonov.
on October 8th, 2006 at 12:23 am
Thanks for the clarification! I assume from your other posts, however, that you see the possibility of that political will existing on the part of the ruling regime to be basically nil.
on October 8th, 2006 at 9:03 am
there will be yet another useless election with a predictable outcome and yet another useless osce report declaring them inconsistent with international standards, and rakhmonov yet again emerging victorious. i don’t quite see the use of osce election observation missions. they become as predictable as the elections themselves, there is nothing new to read in their reports. their observations are a waste of time and money. europeans and the rest of the international community would do well to have a united front on their humanitarian policies and stipulate those to tajik govt’s commitment to political changes. until they do this, nothing will change in taj. humanitarian and development assistance is a huge carrot in the hands of international community. all they got to do is get their shit together and apply real pressure on rakhmonov instead of distributing gratuitous observation reports.
on October 19th, 2006 at 9:34 pm
Let the country breath!!! We need some consistency and to recover from the war we had. We don’t need another revolution! Rahmonov is trying hard – in a very diplomatic way – the tax system is OK (its not perfect but it good, some industrial development is underway, example the hydro electro stations, working how to be independent from the gas from neighboring countries, etc the ministries are changed – every time with the hope that a better/more professional person will be in charged. Most importantly we have more democracy than in some of our neighboring countries – again everything is not perfect but it OK for start. We need to be patient; we cannot have the western type of developed society in just a 10 years time. Only 10 years time – can you imagine. we the citizens should be responsible. Work harder, The only thing worrying me it’s the education system - girls are not attending schools as in soviet time and the quality is not as high as it should be or its bad altogether – this is one of the priority areas. Instead of playing politics (un professionally) we should focus on these type of issues. Thanks, wa Salam