DUSHANBE, December 21, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- The Social-Democratic Party (SDPT) held its pre-election congress on December 20.

The congress determined a party list of candidates for the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament).

The SDPT will have a party list of 22 candidates for the 2010 parliamentary elections and the SDPT leader Rahmatillo Zoirov as well as Amniyat Abdulnazarov, Dilbar Samadova, Shokirjon Hakimov, Alim Sherzamonov and Dilovarsho Orzuyev are at the top of the list.

Besides, among those put on the party list are also persons who are not members of the SDPT, including Vatan Abdurahmonov, former judge at the Supreme Court, and Mahmoudjon Qosimov, former deputy chairman of the Tax Committee.

The party list may be shortened as party nominates candidates to run in single-mandate constituencies, Mr. Zoirov stressed.

The SDPT leader also stated that he himself intended to run in one of single-mandate constituencies of Dushanbe.

The Majlisi Namoyandagon has 63 members, who are directly elected for a period of 5 years. 22 are elected through a proportional, party list system from a single, countrywide constituency.  To win seats, parties must pass a five percent threshold.