Tajikistan’s recent parliamentary elections were characterized by a lack of real political competition, significant repression of opposition, and inadequate international oversight. Emomali Rahmon’s regime, which has been in power for over three decades, cultivated an environment that undermines democratic practices, raising concerns about the legitimacy of the electoral results.

Tajikistan, the poorest nation in Central Asia, recently conducted parliamentary elections on March 2. Emomali Rahmon, who has ruled since 1992, leads the People’s Democratic Party of Tajikistan, which claimed victory by acquiring 49 out of 63 parliamentary seats. The elections lacked adequate international oversight as Western observers were effectively barred from monitoring the voting process.

The parliamentary elections in Tajikistan reveal a disheartening absence of democratic practices, as they were mired in repression and a lack of genuine political conflict. Rahmon’s authoritarian regime prevented fair elections through the eradication of opposition and independent media. Thus, the legitimacy of the elections is highly questionable amidst persistent governmental control and violations of civil liberties.

Original Source: www.voanews.com