DUSHANBE, October 2, Asia-Plus  -- The progress made by Tajikistan in the conduct of elections since independence and ways to improve the election process were the focus of a meeting, organized by the OSCE Centre in Dushanbe on September 29.

Aleksandr Sodiqov, Media Assistant at the OCER Centre, said the meeting brought together government officials, representatives of the Central Commission for Elections and Referenda, political parties, as well as non-governmental and international organizations.

“Since independence in 1991, Tajikistan has introduced changes and amendments to the legislative ground governing the elections,” said Andrey Shugurov, Deputy Head of the OSCE Centre.

“Although some legal provisions still remain problematic, they lay the foundation for holding democratic elections. At the same time, the Central Commission for Elections and Referenda’s decisions prior to elections significantly balance shortcomings in the law.”

Karomatullo Olimov, Advisor to the Tajik President for Social Development and Public Relations, added: “Our main achievement since independence is that people have got a real opportunity to exercise their right to participate in the administration of their country through elections”.

The event was part of an OSCE-supported project, “Social Partnership Club,” which aims to develop the dialogue between authorities and civil society.