Young Tajiks Seek Voice Through Elections

Although many of the candidates nominated for the forthcoming elections in Tajikistan are young, the past record suggests that few of them will make it into parliament or local councils.

IWPR Central Asia

Institute for War & Peace Reporting

Saturday, 20 February, 2010

Young Tajiks Seek Voice Through Elections

Although many of the candidates nominated for the forthcoming elections in Tajikistan are young, the past record suggests that few of them will make it into parliament or local councils.

The highest-profile of the young generation of candidates is Rustam Imomali, son of Tajik president Imomali Rahmon, who has just turned 23 and is standing for Dushanbe city council.

Local elections are being held simultaneously with the ballot for the lower house of parliament on February 28.

IWPR spoke to an even younger candidate, Orzu Hamidov, who wants to be elected to the council for Kulob, a major town in southern Tajikistan.

Hamidov says he will fight for the rights of young people – especially for job opportunities, in an area where many people leave for work in Russia. However, he will face stiff competition from two experienced former councillors who are also standing.

Locations Tajikistan, Russia, North Ossetia

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