DUSHANBE, May 6, 2013, Asia-Plus  -- Parliamentary by-election in the Vose constituency, Khatlon province has been recognized valid.

In a report released at a press conference in Dushanbe, Shermuhammad Shohiyon, Chairman of the Central Commission for Elections and Referenda (CCER), noted on May 6 that the Vose constituency numbers 94 voters and the CCER estimated 88.1 percent of voters – or 82,808 people – turned out.

According to him, member of the Agrarian Party of Tajikistan (APT), Zayniddin Safarov, won in a May 5 parliamentary by-election with some 73.2 percent of the vote, with his opponents, Ibodullo Nematov of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and self-propelled candidate Rajabi Mirzo, garnering 16.6 percent and 7.9 percent of the vote respectively.

Meanwhile, Rajabi Mirzo told Asia-Plus on May 6 that he recalled his observers from the polling stations on May 5.  “The reason for such a decision was the gross interference of local authorities in the electoral process,” Rajabi Mirzo said.

He further stressed that he was not going to appeal against the election results, “because it is a waste of time and nerves.”

We will recall that three candidates participated in the parliamentary by-election in the Vose constituency.

The ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has nominated Ibodullo Nematov.  Ibodullo Nematov is head of the Jamoat named after Michurin in the Vose district (the jamoats of Tajikistan refer to the third-level administrative divisions, similar to communes or municipalities, in Tajikistan).

The Agrarian Party (APT) has nominated Zayniddin Safarov, deputy director of the Special Property Procurement Agency under the Government of Tajikistan.

Besides, a known Tajik journalist Rajabi Mirzo participated in the by-election as self-propelled candidate.

The Islamic Revival Party (IRP) had earlier said that it would not participate in by-election in the Vose constituency.  The IRP representatives said that there was no speaking about fair and transparent elections when representatives of political parties were not allowed to work with polling stations.

By president’s decree member of the Agrarian Party of Tajikistan Rustam Latipov, who was representing the Vose district in the parliament, was appointed acting chairperson of the Vose district, Khatlon province.  Under the country’s legislation, Rustam Latipov resigned his seat in the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament).