DUSHANBE, March 16, 2010, Asia-Plus  -- The past parliamentary elections were another resolute step towards democratization of Tajik society, President Emomali Rahmon remarked in his address to the first sitting of the first session of the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament) of the fourth convocation on March 16.

The head of state noting that Tajikistan is just taking the fist steps towards building a democratic society.  “Therefore, there may be errors and hesitations on this long path but we are going resolutely towards our aim – building really democratic society,” President Rahmon said.

He called on newly elected lawmakers to unite irrespective of party belonging for solving the most vital issues.

“I ordered my executive office to study pre-election programs of all eight political parties and I tell you the programs will be taken into consideration while concrete government programs will be developed and there ought not to see enemies at political parties,” Rahmon stated.

Noting that pre-election programs of all political parties raise the problems of corruption in the country, the president pointed to the necessity of combing efforts to fight corruption.  “I recently sacked a number of high-ranking officials of the Prosecutor-General’s Office for corruption and work in this direction will be continued,” he said.

Rahmon also expressed gratitude to the ex-speaker of the Majlisi Namoyandagon Saydullo Khairulloyev for good job and noted that he would appoint Mr. Khairulloyev member of the Majlisi Milli (Tajikistan’s upper chamber of parliament).

We will recall that one-fourths of the members of the Majlisi Milli are appointed by the president.