DUSHANBE, March 27, 2015, Asia-Plus -- A joint meeting of people’s deputies of the Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) and its districts and the city of Khorog that took place on March 27 elected five members of the Majlisi Milli (Tajikistan’s upper chamber of parliament).

Rahmonqul Rahmonqulov, a spokesman for the GBAO regional administration, said GBAO Governor Shodikhon Jamshed and Darvoz District Chairman Saidburhon Abdurahmonzoda were re-elected as members of the Majlisi Milli.

“Besides, the meeting elected Khorog Mayor Qimmatgul Aliberdiyeva, Presidential Lyceum Principal Harambegim Mahtobshoyeva and Ishkashim District Chairman Zikrikhudo Samadov as members of the Majlisi Milli,” Rahmonqulov said.

Citizens who reached 35 years of age and have higher education are eligible to be elected to the Majlisi Milli.

The Majlisi Milli has 33 members and 25 of them (three-fourths of the total number of members of the Majlisi Milli) are elected at joint meetings of people’s deputies of the Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Region and its cities and districts, provinces and their cities and districts, Dushanbe city and its districts, cities and districts subordinate to the centre, on the basis of indirect elections by means of secret ballot.

Eight members (one-fourths of the members of the Majlisi Milli) are appointed by the President of the Republic of Tajikistan.

The Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Region, provinces, Dushanbe City, cities 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.