DUSHANBE, November 2, 2011, Asia-Plus  -- Leader of the Social-Democratic Party of Tajikistan (SDPT) Rahmatillo Zoirov has called for boycott of parliamentarian by-election in Dushanbe’s constituency # 3 (Shohmansour district) scheduled for December 18.

Zoirov says he has called for boycott of the by-election because representatives of political parties were not included in commissions at polling stations.  “The fate of elections in our country is decided in the polling station electoral commissions,” Zoirov told Asia-Plus in an interview.  “Members of these commissions usually include representatives of local authorities who support candidates of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP).”   

The SDPT leader says the Communist Party has already supported his call and the Islamic Revival Party will make decision on this subject today.

We will recall that the by-election to fill a seat in the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament) as Safarali Rajabov, who represented the Shohmansour constituency in the lower house of parliament, died on October 5 is scheduled for December 18.

Nomination of candidates started on October 19 and will last until November 3, while registration of candidates will be completed on November 19.  

The People’s Democratic Party will nominate its candidate for the by-election today.

Of 63 seats in the Majlisi Namoyandagon, 22 seats come from party lists. The remainder is elected in first-past-the-post races.