Constitutional changes, if passed as expected, will allow
President Rahmon to rule the central Asian state for life.
Polls closed in ex-Soviet Tajikistan on Sunday in a
referendum on constitutional changes almost certain to strengthen the hold of
long-time President Emomali Rahmon and his family over the Central Asian state.
The country's electoral commission, which declared the vote valid, said some 88.3 percent of the roughly 4.3 million eligible voters had cast ballots by 1300 GMT.
The 63-year-old leader has ruled Tajikistan for nearly a
quarter of a century, demonstrating what critics say is an increased disregard
for religious freedoms, civil society and political pluralism in recent years.
Many residents of the Tajik capital appeared enthusiastic in
their support for Rahmon, who led the country out of a five-year civil war that
began in 1992, less than a year after independence.
"Rahmon brought us peace, he ended the war, and he
should rule the country for as long as he has the strength to,"
53-year-old voter Nazir Saidzoda told AFP news agency.
Other voters were more pessimistic about their leader's
ability to pull the country of eight million out of economic difficulty.
"Everything that is being done is for (the regime) to
hold onto power for as long as possible," 37-year-old Marifat Rakhimi
said.
"We are waiting for a better economy and the
disappearance of corruption." Rakhimi added.
The term limit amendment applies only to Rahmon, owing to
the "Leader of the Nation" status parliament voted to grant him last
year, which also affords him and his family permanent immunity from criminal
prosecution.
Other amendments include lowering the minimum age required
to be elected president from 35 to 30 and a ban on the formation of parties
based on religion.
The age limit change could position Rahmon's 28-year-old
son, Rustam, for an early succession, while restrictions on political parties
come amid the ongoing trial of key members of a banned Islamic party.
No comments:
Post a Comment