DUSHANBE, December 15, 2011, Asia-Plus  -- The seventh session of Tajikistan’s upper house (Majlisi Milli) of parliament, presided over by its head, Mahmadsaid Ubaidulloyev, was held in Dushanbe on December 15.

The Majlisi Milli speaker accepted resignation of three members of the Majlisi Milli today – ex-mayor of the city of Istaravshan Munim Kholiqov, ex-chairman of the Roudaki district Mansour Qodirov, and ex-chairman of the Panj district Mirzodavlat Saburov.   

The Majlisi Milli, the upper chamber with 33 members, 25 elected for a five year term by deputies of local councils of the Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Region, regions and their towns and districts, Dushanbe city and its districts, towns and districts subordinate to the center and 8 members appointed by the president.

The Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Region, regions, Dushanbe City, towns and districts subordinate to the centre have an equal number of representatives in 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.  Former Tajik President Qahhor Mahkamov is member of the Majlisi Milli.

The current Chairman of the Majlisi Milli is Mahmadsaid Ubaidulloyev from April 17, 2000.

The bicameral legislature was introduced in the September 1999 constitution.  Prior to that Tajikistan had a unicameral legislature.