DUSHANBE, March 17, Asia-Plus  -- Candidates from two political parties – ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDPT) and the Party of Economic Reforms – are running in by-election to the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament) in the Kolkhozobod constituency, Asia-Plus has learned at the Central Commission for Elections and Referenda (CCER).

Muhibullo Dodojonov, a spokesman for a CCER, said that the by-election had been called following appointment of Sirojiddin Najmiddinov, who had formerly represented the Kolkhozobod constituency in the parliament, as acting chairman of Khatlon’s Qumsangir district.  The by-election will be held on April 27, Dodojonov said.

According to him, member of the PDPT Kholnazar Mahmadaliyev, the head of trade unions at open joint-stock company (OJSC) named after Sirojiddin Isoyev in the Rumi district, and member of the Party of Economic Reforms Payshanbe Ghayratov, a teacher at secondary school # 10 in the Rumi district, are running in the parliamentary by-election.