Majlisi Oli Day in Tajikistan Date in the current year: September 26, 2025

Tajikistan emerged as a republic during the Soviet era, first as the Tajik Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic within the Uzbek SSR in 1924 and then as the Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic in 1929. Since the Soviet Union did not practice the separation of powers, the Supreme Soviet of the Tajik SSR acted as the source of all state power, including the legislative power. However, it had little actual authority because the Supreme Soviet of the USSR made all the important decisions.

Tajikistan gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The Supreme Soviet, however, was not disbanded and continued to perform the function of Tajikistan’s supreme legislative body until December 1994 because the country was embroiled in a civil war.

In 1995, the new parliament, the Majlisi Oli (Supreme Assembly), was finally established. It consisted of a single chamber. In 1999, an amendment to the Constitution of Tajikistan transformed the Majlisi Oli into a bicameral parliament. The upper chamber is the National Assembly (Majlisi Milli), and the lower chamber is the Assembly of Representatives (Majlisi Namoyandagon).

The Assembly of Representatives has 63 members who are elected for five-year terms by two methods. 41 members are chosen in single-member districts through a two-round system, and 22 members are elected by proportional representation in a nationwide constituency with a 5% electoral threshold.

The National Assembly consists of 33 members. 25 of these members are elected by the district and city councils of Tajikistan’s five regions for five-year terms, with each region being represented by five members. The remaining eight members are appointed by the president of Tajikistan. Former presidents of Tajikistan are eligible for lifelong membership in the National Assembly, unless they voluntarily waive this right.

Judges, government officials, law enforcement officers, military personnel, and other individuals specified by constitutional law are ineligible to be members of the National Assembly. An individual cannot be a member of both the National Assembly and the Assembly of Representatives simultaneously. Members of the Assembly of Representatives cannot be members of other representative bodies, hold other positions, or engage in entrepreneurial activities. Members of the National Assembly cannot be members of more than two representative bodies.

The Majlisi Oli performs legislative functions, approves the budget, ratifies international treaties, and oversees the government’s work. Thus, the Tajik parliament has evolved from a Soviet-era formal body to a constitutionally enshrined institution, though its role remains limited due to the strong presidential power in Tajikistan.

Added to Tajikistan’s holiday calendar in 2023, Majlisi Oli Day honors the legislative branch of government and its role and importance. It is an official holiday but not a public holiday or nonworking day unless it falls on a weekend.