Capital: Dushanbe
Administrative divisions: 2 oblasts (viloyatho, singular - viloyat) and one autonomous oblast* (viloyati avtonomii); Viloyati Avtonomii Badakhshoni Kuni* (Khorugh - formerly Khorog), Viloyati Khatlon (Qurghonteppa - formerly Kurgan-Tyube), Viloyati Leninobod (Khujand - formerly Leninabad) note: the administrative center names are in parentheses
Independence: 9 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday: National Day, 9 September (1991)
Constitution: new constitution adopted 6 November 1994
Legal system: based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Emomali RAHMONOV (since 6 November 1994;
was Head of State and Assembly Chairman since NA November 1992) was
elected for a five-year term by universal suffrage; election last
held 6 November 1994 (next to be held NA 1999); results - Emomali
RAHMONOV 58%, Abdumalik ABDULLAJANOV 40%
head of government: Prime Minister Yahyo AZIMOV (since 8 February
1996) was appointed by the president
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president who
proposes them to the Supreme Assembly for approval
Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly (Majlisi Oli): elections last held 26 February and
12 March 1995 (next to be held NA 2000); results - percent of vote
by party NA; estimated seats - (181 total) Communist Party and
affiliates 100, People's Party 10, Party of People's Unity 6, Party
of Economic and Political Renewal 1, other 64
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed by the
president