DUSHANBE, March 25, 2010, Asia-Plus  -- Elections to the Majlisi Milli (Tajikistan’s upper chamber of parliament) are being held in Tajikistan today.

According to the Central Commission for Elections and Referenda (CCER), registration for the parliament’s upper house ended on March 18, with 27 candidates registered to run.

Muhibullo Dadajonov, an official with the CCER, says councils in the Sughd and Khatlon provinces as well as Dushanbe nominated five candidates each, while councils in Gorno Badakhshan and districts subordinate to the center (RRPs) nominated 6 candidates each.

Five constituencies have been set up for elections to parliament’s upper house that will take place on March 25, Dadajonov said.

We will recall that three-fourths of the total number of members of the Majlisi Milli are elected at joint meetings of people’s deputies of the Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Region and its towns and districts, regions and their towns and districts, Dushanbe city and its districts, towns and districts subordinate to the centre, on the basis of indirect elections by means of secret ballot.  The Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Region, regions, Dushanbe City, towns and districts subordinate to the center have an equal number of representatives in the Majlisi Milli (five each).

One-fourths of the members of the Majlisi Milli are appointed by the President.  Besides, each former President of the Republic of Tajikistan shall be the life member of the Majlisi Milli, if he doesn’t refuse to use this right.

Two members of the new Majlisi Milli are already known – they are ex-President Qahhor Mahkamov and ex-speaker of the Majlisi Namoyandagon Saydullo Khairulloyev.

Qahhor Mahkamov is the life member of the Majlisi Milli as ex-president of the country and Saydullo Khairulloyev was appointed by the president.  We will recall that during an address at the opening session of the Majlisi Namoyandagon, President Rahmon noted on March 16 that he will appoint Mr. Khairulloyev member of the Majlisi Milli.