International monitors slam Tajikistan’s parliamentary election, say vote was marred by fraud

Monitors say Tajikistan’s vote marred by fraud

DUSHANBE, Tajikistan — International election monitors say Tajikistan’s parliamentary election was marred by widespread fraud.

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe’s election-monitoring arm says rampant ballot-box stuffing and proxy voting took place in Sunday’s election.

Preliminary results from the vote in the Central Asian republic have not been announced, but President Emomali Rakhmon’s two-decade grip on power is likely to remain as strong as ever.

The main opposition Islamic Revival Party says it has evidence of fraud.

The OSCE report Monday also said state television news coverage of the campaign was minimal, limiting voters’ ability to make an informed choice.