DUSHANBE, March 19, 2010, Asia-Plus  -- Deputy leader of the Social Democratic Party of Tajikistan (SDPT), Shokirjon Hakimov, who ran for parliament in Konibodom constituency # 19 in Sughd province, says the Konibodom authorities have begun to persecute his representatives and supporters.

“Moreover, they are making some my supporters working as heads of local public associations and school principals give in their resignations,” Mr. Hakimov said, noting that voting was marred by gross violation of the country’s election legislation and interference of local authorities and prosecutor’s office in electoral process.

“I am going to officially apply to the Central Commission for Elections and Referenda (CCER) as well as local and foreign media over violation of the constitutional rights of voters,” the SDPT leader said.

Nasrullo Mahmoudov, candidate from the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDPT), won the second round of elections to the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament) in Konibodom single-mandate constituency # 19.  Since none of the contenders managed to win an absolute majority during the first round, the second round of voting was held in the Konibodom constituency on March 14.  The PDPT member Nasrullo Mahmoudov and the SDPT candidate Shokirjon Hakimov competed in the second round in the Konibodom constituency.  Mahmoudov reportedly won 55 percent of votes and Hakimov won 42 percent of votes.  

We will recall that the Islamic Revival Party of Tajikistan (IRPT) also considers that the election results are unfair and there was massive falsification.  The IRPT leader Muhiddin Kabiri noted in early March that his party will mount a legal challenge to the results of parliamentary elections.

The ruling People’s Democratic Party of Tajikistan (PDPT) won more than 87 percent (55 seats out of 63) of seat in the lower house of parliament in the election.