Reps of Kyrgyz CEC participate as int’l observers in parliamentary elections in Tajikistan

Bishkek, Mar.2, 2020 /Kabar/. Representatives of the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) of the Kyrgyz Republic is taking part as international observers in the Missions of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in the elections of deputies to the Majlisi Namoyandagon Majlisi Oli (Supreme Assembly) of Tajikistan. The elections were called by Decree of President of the Republic of Tajikistan on Mar.1, 2020. Also, Kyrgyz MPs, employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Kyrgyz Embassy in Tajikistan are taking part as international observers from Kyrgyzstan. As part of the monitoring of the election campaign, observers from Kyrgyzstan held on Feb.29 a meeting with chairman of the CEC of Tajikistan, as well as familiarized themselves with the work of the precinct election commission of Tajikistan. On Mar.1, 2020 representatives of Kyrgyzstan observed the voting process in various cities of Tajikistan, in particular, they were present at the opening of polling stations, registration of voters and local observers, issuance of ballots, during the voting procedure. Also, they will observe the procedures for closing polling stations and counting of votes at polling stations. The final press conference of the CIS Observation Mission, to be attended by Kyrgyzstan’s CEC Deputy Chairman Eshimov will be held on Mar.2, 2020. As of Mar.1, 2020 the voter turnout at parliamentary elections in Tajikistan reached 23.4% by 9.00 a.m. local time (7.00 a.m. Moscow Time), a member of the Central Commission for Elections and Referenda, Nosirdzhon Salimzoda said, TASS reports. "According to the Central Election Commission, as of 9 a.m. some 1,150,037 voters cast their ballots within the first three hours at all 3,412 polling stations, accounting for 23.4% of the total number of eligible voters," Salimzoda said. The vote continues across the country and all conditions have been created to ensure free and transparent elections, the election official said. On Sunday, Tajikistan held elections to the lower house of parliament. The ballot stations opened across the country at 6.00 a.m. local time. A total of 63 MPs was elected - 41 in single-mandate constituencies and 22 in general constituencies. The parties need to pass a five percent threshold to be elected to the parliament, while candidates in single-mandate constituencies must secure at least 50% of votes. Under the law, the elections are recognized as valid if more than half of voters cast their ballots.