DUSHANBE, October 1, 2013 Asia-Plus -- Attempts by representatives of the Social-Democratic Party of Tajikistan (SDPT) to collect signatures to support presidential candidate Oynihol Bobonazarova are illegal, Abdumannon Dodoyev, the head of the Central Commission foe Elections and Referenda (CCER)’s office, told Asia-Plus in an interview Tuesday morning.

“Under the country’s legislation, the SDPT does not have the right to collect signatures in support for any of candidates until it holds its pre-election congress and nominates its candidate for president or confirms its support for any of presidential candidates,” Dodoyev said.

“Therefore, the head of the Shahrinav district (central Tajikistan) recently refused to attest forms for collection of signatures submitted by representatives of the SDPT,” he added.

We will recall that the SDPT has decided to hold its pre-election congress on October 12 after the completion of the procedure of registration of candidates with the Central Commission for Elections and Referenda (CCER).  According to SDPT leader Rahmatillo Zoirov, a decision on postponing the congress from October 6 to October 12 was made at a party meeting that took place here on September 28.

Rahmatillo Zoirov, in particular, notes that for a number of objective and subjective reasons connected with collection of signatures to support Oynihol Bobonazarova as presidential candidate, and taking into account that October 11 is the last day for registration of candidates, they postpone the congress from October 6 to October 12.

In an interview with Asia-Plus, Zoirov noted that one of the reasons for such a step is “some intraparty issues.”  Zoirov added that the SDPT supports Ms. Oynihol Bobonazarova as the presidential candidate of the Tajik Association of Reformist Forces (TARF).  “Our members are working with Bobonazarova’s campaign staff in the regions,” SDPT leader said.