A rare phenomenon happened in the history of Tajikistan on June 22. Contrary to the declaration of political parties on an inexpediency of referendum at the present stage, as a certain part of our co-citizens are beyond the boundaries of the country and can’t express their free will, still it has taken place. Electoral units resembled wedding salons by their decoration and incidental music. The members of commissions were congratulating one another since very morning, but common voters were standing at a loss, holding ballots in their hands and not knowing what to do with them. One person was puzzled with the absence of any name on the paper, others were sorry that since that moment tuition becomes paid, and one more voter supported our president’s tenure being prolonged for 14 years more, he delivered himself of the opinion that if somebody else comes he will change human resources, the system itself, erect luxurious mansions for himself and his milieu.
Bearing these thoughts in mind, people were going to the referendum to express their opinion in regard to alterations and addenda introduced into RT Basic law. On receiving a ballot many voters didn’t know what they are to do next, so they asked for “advice” members of electoral commissions. And the formers liked it, they were eager to help showing how to delete the word “no” in a proper way. And now there appeared a man who voted for his entire family - five people.
And as for me, a more interesting case occurred, by the way it is not infrequent in the practice of electoral campaigns. On June 22 (the time being 19.25) I came to electoral unit 21 situated in the building of secondary school #40 if Kistakuz jamoat, Bobojonghafurov district. The chairman of the electoral commission, school headmaster Abduroziq Kholiqov on seeing me was embarrassed at once, the teachers surroundings him, members of the commission, also were be wildered. Having told about rough violations observed in the course of voting I asked to find my name in the list.
I confess that on my way yet when I was going to execute my civil duty - to express my attitude to alteration and addenda and to enjoy my right ensured by that same Constitution the new recension of which is offered I was perplexed. To be more precise, I was in despair caused by the action of the group of deputies and Majlisi Oli itself who moved their suggestions to the referendum as a ready resolution having neglected the opinion of the Tajik people, their voters; still the issues had been not discussed. And an extraordinary incident really did occur at the electoral unit.
I read the list: here it is - Khorisova Mohiniso - 2639, Khorisov Farhod - 2640. But there are someone else’s signatures against both names. So, it was a real forgery signatures. Did they hasten to report to the authorities the majority to have voted before the evening? Or did they doubt our coming to the electoral unit? I ask with nuisance - whose job can it have been? Who might have deprived me of my lawful right for voting? There is silence. A militiaman providing order makes a hint: “Well, wait a minute, bucha, (addressing an older woman in Khujand) what did you want to vote for? In favor or against? This ludicrous question insulted me, it was resentful. The chairman of the commission, reverend janob A. Kholiqov, hurries to comfort me: “There is nothing especial, someone may have been mistaken putting his signature in a wrong place. You may put your signature in addition and do vote, please. We have enough ballots””.
I was offended and ashamed of Majlisi Namoyandagon deputies, of the referendum arranged in this fashion, of the members of electoral commission, and in general, I was sorry for democratic, secular unified Tajikistan, for educational level of those who are in charge of such a grandiose procedure being fateful for the country.
I was impudently bereft of the right for participation in the referendum, the right for expressing my will. On that day the members of the electoral commission being legitimate representatives of the constitutional power contravened article 27 of RT Constitution ensuring the right for free will expression in political drives, such as polls and referendum, for all citizens. I was sorry not only for myself, but for the people, the country, for the officials’ overorganizationativity.
I would like our jurists to comment on it.