DUSHANBE, November 29, 2008, Asia-Plus  - The sixth session of the Election Law Working Group was held at the Center for Strategic Studies in Dushanbe on November 28.

The session, organized in the frames of the IFES Election Law Reform in Tajikistan Project, discussed recommendations on the electoral code amendments.

Speaking at the meeting, the deputy head of the Social-Democratic Party (SDPT), Shokirjon Hakimov, said that the working group had prepared recommendations on 28 amendments to the law on elections to the Majlisi Milli (Tajik parliament) and 29 amendments to the law on election of members of local legislatures       

            Besides, three new articles to the law on elections of members of local legislators have been submitted for consideration to the parliament, Hakimov said.

            “These recommendations may significantly improve the electoral code and make elections more transparent and open,” Daniel Stoyanov of IFES Tajikistan said in an interview with Asia-Plus.

            The election law working group members includes representatives of the parliament, president’s office, public council, central commission for election and referenda (CCER) and eight officially registered political parties.