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Observers from the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) will not be monitoring Tajikistan’s upcoming parliamentary elections due to a lack of accreditation from the country’s authorities, according to a statement on the OSCE website.
A press release noted that the OSCE had launched its election observation mission for the lower house of parliament on January 22 in Dushanbe, ahead of the vote scheduled for March 2. However, experts were unable to commence their work as Tajik officials failed to provide guarantees that ODIHR staff or other international organizations would be permitted to observe the election process.
With less than a month remaining until election day, the accreditation issue remains unresolved, prompting the OSCE to withdraw from the process, stated ODIHR Director Maria Telalian.
Despite this, OSCE experts conducted a preliminary assessment of the upcoming elections and voiced concerns over the independence and impartiality of the electoral administration, as well as the transparency and fairness of the process. The mission also noted that restrictions on freedom of expression, association, and assembly negatively impact the electoral environment. ODIHR had initially planned to deploy 20 long-term and 150 short-term observers, but ultimately had to abandon these plans.
Nonetheless, ODIHR affirmed its commitment to supporting Tajikistan in strengthening democracy and human rights. The bureau stated that it would participate in electoral processes in line with its mandate and methodology when conditions allow.
ℹ️ President Emomali Rahmon signed a decree on December 4, 2024, scheduling elections for the lower house of the Majlisi Oli (parliament) on March 2, 2025.
The lower house consists of 63 members elected by secret ballot under a universal, equal, and direct voting system. Of these, 22 representatives are chosen through a proportional system, while 41 are elected in single-member districts. The term of office for deputies is five years.
Elections for Tajikistan’s upper house of parliament are set to take place on March 28, 2025.
