OSCE/ODIHR opens Election Observation Mission in Tajikistan

DUSHANBE/WARSAW, 28 January 2005 - The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights has established an Election Observation Mission for the 27 February 2005 parliamentary elections in the Republic of Tajikistan. This follows an invitation from the Central Commission for Elections and Referenda.

The Election Observation Mission, headed by Peter Eicher of the United States, consists of 10 international staff based in Dushanbe and 17 long-term observers deployed in the regions, representing a total of 16 OSCE participating States.

The Mission will assess the entire electoral process in terms of its compliance with international standards for democratic elections and national legislation. It will focus on the election campaign, the legislative framework and its implementation, the media situation, the work of the election administration and relevant government bodies, and the resolution of election-related disputes.

The ODIHR has requested the deployment of 130 short-term observers a few days prior to the 27 February elections to monitor the voting, counting and the tabulation of results.

The day after the election, the Election Observation Mission will hold a press conference to issue a statement of preliminary findings and conclusions.

The OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission and the OSCE Centre in Dushanbe operate separately under their specific mandates.