<item><hi format=bold>Administrative divisions:</hi> 2 oblasts (viloyotho, singular—viloyat) and one autonomous oblast* (viloyati avtonomii); Viloyati Avtonomii Badakhshoni Kuni* (Khorugh—formerly Khorog), Viloyati Khatlon (Qurghonteppa—formerly Kurgan-Tyube), Viloyati Leninobad (Khujand—formerly Leninabad)
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<item>• <hi format=ital>note:</hi> the administrative center names are in parentheses
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<item><hi format=bold>Independence:</hi> 9 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)
<item><hi format=bold>National holiday:</hi> National Day, 9 September (1991)
<item><hi format=bold>Constitution:</hi> a referendum on new constitution planned for June 1994
<item><hi format=bold>Legal system:</hi> based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts
<item><hi format=bold>Suffrage:</hi> 18 years of age; universal
<item><hi format=bold>Executive branch:</hi>
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<item>• <hi format=ital>chief of state:</hi> Head of State and Assembly Chairman Emomili RAKHMONOV (since NA November 1992); election last held 27 October 1991 (next to be held NA September 1994); results—Rakhman NABIYEV, Communist Party 60%; Davlat KHUDONAZAROV, Democratic Party, Islamic Rebirth Party and Rastokhoz Party 30%
<item>• <hi format=ital>head of government:</hi> Prime Minister Abdujalil SAMADOV (since 27 December 993)
<item>• <hi format=ital>cabinet:</hi> Council of Ministers
<item>• <hi format=ital>note:</hi> the presidency was abolished in November 1992, when RAKHMANOV became head of state; a referendum on presidential or parliamentary system is planned for June 1994
<item><hi format=bold>Supreme Soviet:</hi> elections last held 25 February 1990 (next to be held NA September 1994); results—Communist Party 99%, other 1%; seats—(230 total) Communist Party 227, other 3
<item><hi format=bold>Judicial branch:</hi> Prosecutor General
<item><hi format=bold>Political parties and leaders:</hi> Communist Party (Tajik Socialist Party—TSP), Shodi SHABDOLOV, chairman; Tajik Democratic Party (TDP), Shodmon YUSUF; Islamic Revival Party (IRP), Mohammed Sharif HIMOTZODA, Davat OUSMAN; Rastokhez Movement, Tohir ABDUJABBAR; Lali Badakhshan Society, Atobek AMIRBEK
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<item>• <hi format=ital>note:</hi> all the above-listed parties but the Communist Party were banned in June 1993
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<item><hi format=bold>Other political or pressure groups:</hi> Tajikistan Opposition Movement based in northern Afghanistan
<item>• <hi format=ital>chief of mission:</hi> Ambassador Stanley T. ESCUDERO
<item>• <hi format=ital>embassy:</hi> Hotel October, 105A Rudaki Prospect, Dushanbe
<item>• <hi format=ital>mailing address:</hi> use embassy street address
<item>• <hi format=ital>telephone:</hi> [7] (3772) 21-03-56 and 21-03-60
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<item><hi format=bold>Flag:</hi> three horizontal stripes of red (top), a wider stripe of white, and green; a crown surmounted by seven five-pointed stars is located in the center of the white stripe