Presidential election in Tajikistan 2013
The 2013 presidential election in Tajikistan took place on November 6, 2013 . With 83.07% of the vote, Emomalij Rahmon , who has been President of Tajikistan since 1994 , emerged victorious from the election. In the absence of a serious opponent candidate, Rahmons was expected to be re-elected before the election. Opposition candidates were not allowed to participate in the election or were boycotted.
background
After President Rahmon was confirmed in office on November 6, 2006 with 79.3% of the vote, his term of office ended after seven years in November 2013, so that presidential elections were held again. The renewed candidacy of President Rahmon was only possible through a constitutional reform in 2003, which released Rahmon from the limitation of two seven-year terms in office. For a valid result, the voter turnout in the presidential election must be at least 50%. Candidates were admitted if they were able to have the signatures of 210,000 supporters, around 5% of the citizens eligible to vote.
Candidates
In addition to the incumbent, five largely unknown opponents ran. They expressed no criticism of President Rahmon during the election campaign and were never seen as serious challengers to the long-time head of state:
- Emomalij Rahmon , People's Democratic Party of Tajikistan
- Ismail Talbakov , Communist Party of Tajikistan
- Talibek Buhariyew, Agrarian Party
- Alim Babayew , Economic Reform Party
- Abduhalim Gaffarow, Socialist Party of Tajikistan
- Saidcafar Ismanov, Democratic Party of Tajikistan
Human rights activist and opposition activist Oinikhol Bobonazarova from the Islamic Party of the Rebirth of Tajikistan was not allowed to vote because, according to the authorities, she only submitted 201,236 signatures, 8,764 too few to be allowed to run for the presidential election. On the part of the opposition party, the obstruction of the campaign by local authorities was seen as the reason for the candidate's failure. As a consequence of this hindrance, the Islamic Party of Tajikistan's rebirth announced that it would not take part in the election.
Another opposition party, the Social Democratic Party, had already announced the boycott of the election, citing a lack of transparency, systematic election fraud and a violation of the constitution as reasons for this step.
campaign
The election campaign was marked by the lack of any serious opposition. In the entire election campaign, there was almost no criticism of the longstanding president. Observers from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe complain about the lack of political debate. On state television, the candidates were allowed the same speaking and airtime in news and political programs, but at the same time the tendentiously positive reporting about the incumbent and his work was continued. In addition, Rahmon was accused of using government funds for his election campaign.
Result
On election day, 4,201,156 Tajiks were called to cast their votes. With 3,603,107 valid votes, the voter turnout was 86%, which far exceeded the required 50%.
| candidate | Votes (absolute) | Votes (relative) |
|---|---|---|
| Emomalij Rahmon | 3,023,754 | 83.07% |
| Ismail Talbakov | 181,675 | 4.99% |
| Talibek Buhariyew | 166.224 | 4.57% |
| Alim Babayew | 140.733 | 3.87% |
| Abduhalim Gaffarov | 54,148 | 1.49% |
| Saidcafar Ismanov | 36,573 | 1.00% |
rating
The presidential election in Tajikistan was again classified by observers as not free and fair. OSCE observers criticized the lack of serious opponents and political pluralism . Formally, too, the election did not meet the OSCE's requirements; since, in the absence of a central register of voters, it was not possible to effectively prevent double voting. In the polling stations, election day was largely orderly and peaceful, but observers noted violations of the electoral law such as voting in groups or opening ballot boxes .
Individual evidence
- ^ Tajikistan holds presidential election. Retrieved March 15, 2020 .
- ^ Tajik leader set to win another term . In: BBC News . November 6, 2013 ( bbc.com [accessed March 15, 2020]).
- ^ Tajikistan presidential election peaceful, but lacking in pluralism and genuine choice, international observers say | OSCE. Retrieved March 15, 2020 .
- ↑ IFES Election Guide | Elections: Tajikistan Pres Nov 2013. Retrieved March 15, 2020 .
- ^ Tajikistan presidential election peaceful, but lacking in pluralism and genuine choice, international observers say | OSCE. Retrieved March 15, 2020 .
