KULOB, October 23, 2008, Asia-Plus  -- The ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDPT) has got another three seats in the Kulob city legislature (Majlis).

The PDPT members ran in the by-elections unopposed after the Democratic (DPT), Communist (CPT) and the Islamic Revival (IRPT) parties decided not to participate in the by-elections. 

The by-elections were held on November 16 in three constituencies – 1st, 9th, and 40th.  The election of new members of the legislature were held to fill vacancies following the resignation of three legislators.  Thus, Said Atoyev who represented constituency 1 in the legislature was appointed to head the Dushanbe electric systems; Safarali Rajabov who represented constituency 9 was appointed as chairman of the Khovaling district; and Hakim Karimov who represented constituency 40 in the legislature was appointed as chairman of the Nosir Khusrav district.    

The PDPT member and head of the Kulob electric systems, Jumakhon Sharipov ran in the by-elections in constituency # 1.  The PDPT member and head of the Kulob airport Alikhon Komilov was nominated for the by-election in constituency # 9 and head of farming unit from the Kulob district Suhrob Karimov was nominated by the PDPT for the by-election in constituency # 40.  He replaced his father Hakim Karimov, who was appointed as chairman of the Nosir Khusrav district. 

The Kulob city legislature has 40 members: the PDPT currently controls 36 seats and the Communist Party has four seats in the Kulob legislature.