Expert: Tajikistan has no intentions to have post-election problems

Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 1 By Viktoria Zhavoronkova - Tajikistan is not going to have problems after holding the presidential election, the U.S. expert on Central Asia, Bruce Pannier believes. "I do not expect there would be any post-election problems in Tajikistan. There will be complaints about violations on the election day, but even in the most honest election President Emomali Rahmon would still win," Pannier told Trend on Nov. 5. November 5 is announced to be the day of election silence in Tajikistan. The country is going to elect the president on Nov. 6. Six candidates along with President Rahmon are going to compete for the post of the country's leader. Mr. Rahmon - the major candidate to the post, has been leading the country for 21 years. Pannier believes that Tajik people hardly want to risk changing the leadership of the country. "Many eligible voters in Tajikistan remember the civil war of 1992-1997 that hardly anyone wants to risk a drastic change in leadership, so most in Tajikistan have already accepted current President Emomali Rahmon's re-election," he added. President Rahmon and the government have been through three presidential election already, plus the parliamentary election Rahmon's People's Democratic Party of Tajikistan always wins the most seats in, so they are experienced at ensuring the ruling party and the president always do well, Pannier noted. Also he stressed that the only genuine opposition candidate - Oynihol Babanazarova - already withdrew in protest at the obstacles to her meeting registration requirements. "Since she was the "single" candidate from the opposition her withdrawal leaves only candidates from pro-presidential parties to compete against Mr. Rahmon," expert added. . Mr. Rahmon has not held public presidential agitation campaign before the election to attract voters. About 4.35 million Tajik citizens are entitled to vote.