Only Tame NGOs Invited to Monitor Poll
Only Tame NGOs Invited to Monitor Poll
Although an impressive 12,000 election monitors are planned for the forthcoming presidential ballot in Tajikistan, it turns out that the only NGOs that will be allowed to observe the vote are two groups that are on good terms with the government. In that environment, NBCentralAsia's political observers see little opportunity for civil society groups to offer a non-partisan evaluation of the vote.
Last week, the Central Electoral Committee announced that some 12,000 domestic observers would follow the November 6 election, in contrast to the 300 local observers seen at the last presidential ballot, held in 1999.
Figures from the justice ministry show there are 2,770 NGOs in Tajikistan, and some of them could surely contribute to improving the electoral process. But Tajikistan’s election law stipulates that the only groups allowed to place observers at polling stations are political parties, local government, and two NGOs – the Youth Union and the Federation of Independent Trade Unions.
These two groups are the successors of Soviet organisations, the Komsomol youth movement and the Trade Union Council, respectively. The Youth Union's chairman is appointed by the Tajik head of state, and on September 24 the group reciprocated by nominating President Imomali Rahmonov as its favoured candidate in the election. The trade union federation is also expected to name Rahmonov as its favourite when it holds its congress on October 3.
The majority of NGOs that have not been selected to provide observers will be restricted to providing voter education and election monitor training and seminars, with support from international organisations and embassies based in Tajikistan.
The experience of the 2005 parliamentary election, and the legal restrictions placed on NGOs, leads NBCentralAsia analysts to suggest that civil society will not have much of a say in making the electoral process more transparent or fair.
(News Briefing Central Asia draws comment and analysis from a broad range of political observers across the region.)
Last week, the Central Electoral Committee announced that some 12,000 domestic observers would follow the November 6 election, in contrast to the 300 local observers seen at the last presidential ballot, held in 1999.
Figures from the justice ministry show there are 2,770 NGOs in Tajikistan, and some of them could surely contribute to improving the electoral process. But Tajikistan’s election law stipulates that the only groups allowed to place observers at polling stations are political parties, local government, and two NGOs – the Youth Union and the Federation of Independent Trade Unions.
These two groups are the successors of Soviet organisations, the Komsomol youth movement and the Trade Union Council, respectively. The Youth Union's chairman is appointed by the Tajik head of state, and on September 24 the group reciprocated by nominating President Imomali Rahmonov as its favoured candidate in the election. The trade union federation is also expected to name Rahmonov as its favourite when it holds its congress on October 3.
The majority of NGOs that have not been selected to provide observers will be restricted to providing voter education and election monitor training and seminars, with support from international organisations and embassies based in Tajikistan.
The experience of the 2005 parliamentary election, and the legal restrictions placed on NGOs, leads NBCentralAsia analysts to suggest that civil society will not have much of a say in making the electoral process more transparent or fair.
(News Briefing Central Asia draws comment and analysis from a broad range of political observers across the region.)
