Electoral Amnesia in Tajikistan

Many people appear to be unaware of the various political parties that will field candidates next year, and cannot name their member of parliament.



Mahmadali Khaitov, deputy head of the Islamic Rebirth Party, says this general ignorance is the fault of parliamentarians themselves, who do not keep in contact with the electorate.



Muso Asozoda of the governing People’s Democratic Party, on the other hand, insists that its legislators do meet the people regularly and listen to their concerns. He blames apathetic voting-age people who stayed away from the last election, and are lucky enough never to have to call on their elected representative for help.



Communist party leader Shodi Shabdolov, meanwhile, says vital issues are discussed in parliament but people have no access to this because the televised coverage is atrocious, offering bland voiceovers instead of letting viewers hear the debates.