OSCE Centre in Dushanbe

The OSCE Centre in Dushanbe assists Tajikistan in modernizing its electoral legislation and procedures to comply with OSCE principles and commitments.

Co-ordinating with the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, the Centre assists in drafting new election laws and works to raise awareness on legislation and political parties.

Ahead of the 2005 parliamentary elections and November 2006 presidential election, for example, the Centre held seminars for some 2,400 voters and electoral administration officials on the main principles of fair and transparent elections. The Centre also published a newer version of a handbook on political parties and a brochure on the country's election laws.

To provide a forum for open political discussion, the Centre supports the Social Partnership Club, which brings together some 70 representatives from public councils, political parties and civil society to discuss and find consensus on pressing social issues.

The Centre also facilitates a series of seminars on law and religion to encourage dialogue between religious leaders and local authorities. It organizes annual summer camps and high school programmes to provide civic education for young people.