DUSHANBE, February 23, 2011, Asia-Plus  -- Tajikistan’s lower chamber (Majlisi Namoyandagon) of parliament has confirmed President Rahmon’s candidate for chairman of the Central Commission for Elections and Referenda (CCER) without-debate voting.

A regular sitting of the second of the second session of the Majlisi Namoyandagon of the fourth convocation, presided over by its speaker, Shukurjon Zuhurov, was held on February 23.

The parliament confirmed Shermuhammad Shohiyon, formerly head of the Security and Defense Committee the lower house of parliament, as chairman of the CCER.

The Majlisi Namoyandagon also confirmed Karomatullo Kholiqov, Dean of the Faculty of Law at Tajik National University, as the CCER deputy chairman.

Addressing the sitting the new CCER head assured MPs that he would do the best he can to promote successful activities of the CCER.  Shohiyon noted that the CCER should strengthen even more interaction with government bodies, political parties and civil society in Tajikistan.    

We will recall that President Emomali Rahmon on February 21 proposed Shermuhammad Shohiyon to replace Mirzoali Boltuyev in the position of head of the Central Commission for Elections and Referenda.  He also proposed to dismiss the CCER deputy chairman Mizrob Kabirov and two CCER members Nizomiddin Zohidov and Saymurod Taghoyev in connection with their transfer to other jobs.

Powers of the CCER member Bobojon Laqayev were terminated in connection with his death.

The president proposed Saidboy Zokirov, chairman of Sughd Trade Unions, Rahmon Ziyo, deputy head of the Republic Center for Healthy Lifestyle at the Ministry of Health, and Nourali Saidov, secretary of the Public Council of Tajikistan, to replace Nizomiddin Zohidov, Saymurod Taghoyev and Bobojon Laqayev.