Most countries in the world are republics in the form of government, and as a result, government institutions are elected for a specific term. In countries with regular presidential and parliamentary elections, there is a superficial perception of the electoral system among a fairly large segment of the population. There is no deep and comprehensive understanding of such important political and social events, which implies specific risks for society and the state.
Mankind has experienced many political regimes during its rich history: oligarchy, dictatorship, totalitarianism, fascist regime and others. Today, democracy can be considered the highest form of social order. There is no need to explain the meaning of democracy, for the simple reason that we live in a democratic country and elect our public authority.
It is worth mentioning that Aristotle laid the foundations of political regimes 2,300 years ago with his fundamental work «Politics». Although Aristotle’s goal was to find an ideal form of statehood, subsequent human history has shown that it is impossible to build an ideal state. However, democracy is the best option among existing political regimes. This idea is wittily expressed by Winston Churchill: «Many forms of government have been tried, and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that is perfect or all-wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time».
Evolving into a democratic political regime is significant progress for every state. The ability of the population to elect its representatives in the executive and legislative branches of government means choosing its own direction of development. In democratic regimes, the representative authorities determine foreign and domestic policy, but this is the indirect will of the people, which is entrusted to them. This creates the necessary flexibility for the state to reorient itself in rapidly changing realities.
As soon as elections are announced, the domestic political struggle for the presidency will intensify. Various political parties and public associations nominate their candidates for the election. Not apolitical segments of the population and civil society are actively participating as voters. A very negative phenomenon is the refusal to participate in voting due to apathy towards the election of the President and the future of the country. The reason for this is an insufficient level of political outlook and a lack of understanding of the importance of presidential elections for the future of the country.
It must be borne in mind that elections are also a moment of political activity, not only as an internal struggle, but also an attempt at external interference. In today’s world, as a result of the unprecedented development of information and communication technologies, there are attempts to influence internal elections from outside. Hacker attacks, manipulation of public opinion, financing of marginal groups, etc. are cybernetic tools to destabilise the situation at such an important political event. In this regard, it is particularly important to increase public awareness about critically analyse the information which is being disseminated.
Tajikistan will hold presidential elections on 11th October, and the President will lead the country for the next 7 years. According to Article 65 of the Constitution of the Republic of Tajikistan, a person who has reached the age of 30, has a higher education, knows the state language and has lived in the territory of the Republic for the last 10 years can be nominated as a presidential candidate.
Going to the polling stations is not a legal obligation for a person according to the legislation of the Republic of Tajikistan, but it is a personal responsibility for a citizen in any democratic country. In connection with the above, participation in elections means not only electing the future President, but also choosing own future and the future of the country.
Muhammad F.B.,
senior specialist of the Department of
analysis and forecasting of foreign policy of
Center for Strategic Research under
President of the Republic of Tajikistan
