DUSHANBE, June 9, 2011, Asia-Plus -- A session of the Majlisi Milli (Tajikistan’s upper chamber of parliament), presided over by its head, Mahmadsaid Ubaidulloyev, is being held in Dushanbe today.

Shavkat Saidov, an aide to the Majlisi Milli speaker, says the session will consider some thirty issues, including a number of laws adopted by the lower chamber (Majlisi Namoyandagon) of parliament this year.  Among them are the laws on security, liquidation of lending agencies, the National Bank of Tajikistan (NBT), and the procedure of holding a suspect or a defendant in custody.

The Majlisi Milli (National Assembly) is the upper chamber of Tajik parliament with 33 members, 25 elected for a five year term by deputies of local council and 8 appointed by the president.  Citizens who reached 35 years of age and have higher education shall be eligible to be elected to the Majlisi Milli.  Each former President of the Republic of Tajikistan shall be the life member of the Majlisi Milli, if he doesn’t refuse to use this right.

The Majlisi Milli effectuates its work in the form of a session.  A session of the Majlisi Milli is convoked by its speaker not less than twice a year.  The laws adopted by the Majlisi Namoyandagon are submitted to the Majlisi Milli, with the exception of the Law “On the State Budget.”  The Majlisi Milli seconds the law by a majority of votes of the total number of its members.  In the event the Majlisi Milli doesn’t second the law, it is considered at the Majlisi Namoyandagon repeatedly.