OSCE/ODIHR final report says Tajikistan presidential election lacked pluralism and genuine choice, recommends measures to bring process in line with OSCE commitments

The 6 November presidential election in Tajikistan took place peacefully, but restrictive candidate registration requirements resulted in a lack of pluralism and genuine choice, says the final report from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). The report recommends the legal framework be significantly improved to provide a sound basis for the conduct of democratic elections.

Existing shortcomings cited in the report, released on 2 February 2014, include unduly restrictive candidacy requirements and vague provisions on essential aspects of the election process regarding voter registration, campaigning and election day procedures.

According to the report, the Central Commission on Elections and Referenda took measures to enhance the transparency and efficiency of the administration of elections, but important procedures were left insufficiently regulated, leading to inconsistent practices. The report recommends that election commissions be made truly independent from the government and sufficiently inclusive and pluralistic to enhance confidence in their work

Acknowledging that election authorities made concerted efforts to verify voter lists, the report adds that more should be done to enhance the accuracy and inclusiveness of voter registration, so as to safeguard the equality of voting rights. It also encourages the authorities to develop a centralized voter register.

The authorities did not provide safeguards against the misuse of state resources, the report notes, and the distinction between the state and ruling political party was often blurred, particularly in media coverage. The report recommends that coverage of the incumbent in state media should be regulated in line with the principle of equality, to provide a level playing field for candidates.

It also recommends that all stakeholders make concerted efforts to address observed violations in polling stations, including widespread proxy voting, family voting and group voting, as well as indications of ballot box stuffing. To enhance transparency and confidence in the election results, the report recommends that preliminary and final results be published and disaggregated by polling station and district.