Photo from mvd.tj
Law enforcement and security agencies in Tajikistan have been placed on high alert in connection with the upcoming parliamentary elections in the country. From 28 February, all such agencies will be on permanent standby, Asia-Plus reports (in Russian), citing a source in the Tajik internal affairs ministry.
The mobilisation will continue until the end of the elections. During this period, police and security forces units will patrol busy public places, markets, shopping centres, government buildings and the main streets and avenues of large towns and cities around the country. On election day, all of the country’s 3370 polling stations will be under armed guard. A special inter-departmental commission will be established to coordinate the work of the law enforcement and security services.
Parliamentary elections in Tajikistan are scheduled for 1 March. Of the 63 deputies in the Assembly of Representatives (Majlisi Namoyandagon), the lower chamber of the country’s Supreme Assembly (Majlisi Oli), 22 will be elected by party list (based on a single country-wide electoral district), and the rest from single-mandate electoral districts. Elections to the upper chamber of parliament, the Majlisi Milli will be held on 27 March.
All seven of Tajikistan’s authorised political parties have registered to take part in the elections. 240 candidates will compete for seats in the country’s parliament.
