DUSHANBE, May 12, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- The spring conscription in Tajikistan is nearing completion, having reached 97.3 percent of the target by May 11, Faridoun Mahmadaliyev, a chief spokesman for the Ministry of Defense (MoD), told Asia-Plus today.

In the territorial cross section the percentage the target reached were: Gorno Badakhshan – 93.3 percent; Khatlon – 100 percent; Sughd – 97.1 percent; districts subordinate to the center (RRPs) – 95.6 percent; and Dushanbe – 88.4 percent.

The conscription target is expected to be fulfilled within the next few days, the spokesman said.

The spring conscription campaign is carried out from April through May, and the draft affects able-bodied male citizens in the age bracket of 18 years old to 27 years old who are not members of the armed forces reserve.