Tajikistan’s Flawed Elections: A Glimpse of Authoritarian Rule

Tajikistan’s parliamentary elections on March 2, 2024, were claimed by the ruling party as transparent and democratic, a characterization dismissed by many observers. The elections lacked genuine competition, with all parties aligned with Emomali Rahmon, who has maintained authoritarian control since 1992. The repressive political environment and restrictions on media raise significant concerns regarding the election’s credibility and integrity, leading to calls for increased accountability.

On March 2, 2024, Tajikistan, the poorest nation in Central Asia, conducted parliamentary elections. The ruling party, the People’s Democratic Party of Tajikistan, led by Emomali Rahmon since 1992, claimed victory by winning 49 of the 63 seats. However, these elections lacked international oversight, as Western observers were effectively excluded from monitoring the electoral process.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), with backing from China and Russia, termed the elections “transparent, credible, and democratic.” Despite such declarations, these claims starkly contradict the realities observed within the nation, where no genuine political competition exists among the six participating parties, all aligned with Rahmon.

For over thirty years, Rahmon has systematically dismantled political opposition, fostering a political environment dominated by his supporters. Freedom House categorizes Tajikistan as one of the world’s most authoritarian regimes. Analysts foresee a dynastic succession under Rahmon’s son, Rustam Emomali, who currently leads the upper house of parliament. The Norwegian Helsinki Committee deems the Tajik parliament a mere “rubber-stamp body,” lacking substantive legislative authority.

Since the prohibition of the Islamic Renaissance Party in 2015, the political opposition has been decimated. The Social Democratic Party, which has not secured parliamentary representation since its founding in 2002, continues to face severe oppression. The recent death of its leader, Rakhmatillo Zoiirov, led to the arrest of several opposition figures, including Shokirjon Khakimov, sentenced to 18 years in prison, alongside others facing extended sentences for allegedly plotting against the government.

The Tajik government has consistently imprisoned individuals perceived as threats, often through closed trials. Human rights reports highlight that many convicted individuals receive sentences without public access to the evidence against them. The government’s restrictions on media further compound the concerns regarding the election’s legitimacy, with significant challenges reported by independent outlets.

Notably, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) canceled its monitoring mission, marking the first such cancellation since 2000, due to the lack of assurances for international observer accreditation. The absence of citizen observation undermines the independence of any assessment of Tajikistan’s democratic processes, raising alarms over the increasing authoritarian tendencies under Rahmon’s regime.

Media outlets like Radio Ozodi, regarded as the last independent voice in Tajikistan, have faced increased crackdowns. Reports from regional media have indicated voting irregularities, including allegations of coercion against sick individuals to vote for the ruling party, and reports of multiple people voting under a single identity, further casting doubt on the elections’ integrity.

In conclusion, the March 2024 elections in Tajikistan are beset by significant flaws, rendering the results unverifiable. The systematic oppression of political opposition and independent media, coupled with the government’s authoritarian practices, critically undermines any prospects for free and fair elections. Under the current regime led by Emomali Rahmon, the legitimacy of these elections remains highly questionable.

Original Source: www.voanews.com