DUSHANBE, Nov 6: Tajikistan today started voting in a presidential election in which incumbent Imomali Rakhmon is set to win a new seven-year term to lead the Central Asian country that faces security threats from neighbouring Afghanistan.
The former head of a state farm, who has been in power since 1992, is running against five little-known, mainly loyal candidates who pose no threat. The only genuine opposition candidate was unable to run.
But critics say Rakhmon, 61, faces mounting social tension in the Muslim state where about half the 8 million population live in poverty. More than 1 million work abroad, sending money home to their families.
As polls opened at 0630 ist, voters streamed to polling stations in the centre of the capital Dushanbe. At least 20 people were lining up to cast their ballots at polling station No 5 set up at a secondary school.
Young people voting for the first time in their life were given bunches of flowers. Tajik music blared on loudspeakers in various parts of the city.
“Our president is good, so we voted for him,” said pensioner Zikiriyo Sharipov.
Housewife Nazira Karaboyeva said she had opted for stability under Rakhmon and “for everything to stay as good as it is right now”.
“I voted for his excellency, for prosperity and freedom,” she added.
A turnout of at least 50 percent is required to make the election valid. Polls close at 2030 ist and first official results are expected early tomorrow.
Despite wide support at home, Moscow-backed Rakhmon could face security threats from Islamist militants in neighbouring Afghanistan after the planned withdrawal of US-led forces in 2014. Tajikistan also lies on a heroin trafficking route from Afghanistan to Russia and Europe. —
(agencies)
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