DUSHANBE, February 25, 2010, Asia-Plus  -- Mr. Artis Pabriks, Head of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) election observation mission (EOM) for the 28 February parliamentary elections in Tajikistan, met with President Emomali Rahmon on February 25.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with President Rahmon, Mr. Pabriks said that he informed President Rahmon of two interim reports on preparations for parliamentary elections, released by EOM.

The OSCE/ODIHR EOM head noted that Tajik authorities are thinking about development of democracy in their country.  “There is no any country with efficient democracy in the world,” said Pabriks, “All countries of the world, including the OSCE participating states, are seeking optimal democracy.”

Asked about judicial actions and lawsuits brought against five independent Tajik newspapers -- Paykon, Millat, Asia-Plus, Ozodagon, and Farazh – Mr. Pabriks said that that subject was not discussed at his meeting with President Rahmon.  “However, we are abreast of these events and our experts are currently working in this direction and the results will be published in the near future,” he stressed.  

We will recall that the OSCE ODIHR formally opened the election observation mission in Tajikistan January 18, 2010.  In line with its commitment as an OSCE participating State, Tajikistan has invited ODIHR to monitor the elections.

The mission comprises 17 international experts from 16 OSCE participating States based in Dushanbe, and 20 long-term observers deployed across the country.  The mission is assessing the overall framework and conduct of the elections. This includes the legal framework, the political campaign, the role of the media, the work of the election administration and the complaints and appeals process.  On election day, observers will follow the voting, counting and tabulation process.  A statement of preliminary findings and conclusions will be issued on the day after the elections.  A comprehensive final report on the overall findings of the mission will be published approximately two months after the completion of the election process.