Tajik President sets parliamentary election date

Imomali Rakhmonov on 11 December scheduled the elections to the lower and upper houses of the new bicameral parliament for 27 February and 25 March, respectively, ITAR-TASS reported. Addressing parliamentary deputies the previous day after the passing of the new election law, Rakhmonov said "we must do everything possible" to ensure that the poll is free and democratic and a model for other countries." Khalifabobo Khamidov, who is Rakhmonov's adviser on parliamentary affairs, termed the election of the new legislature "an important and conclusive step" toward peace, according to Reuters. On 11 December, the parliament also named a 15-member Central Electoral Commission. LF
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