The OSCE\'s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights on 28 January officially opened its observer mission to Tajikistan\'s 27 February parliamentary elections, RFE/RL\'s Tajik Service reported. Mission head Peter Eicher said that monitors will assess the elections\' adherence to international standards in terms of preparedness, observance of law, and media coverage. Eicher noted that while Tajikistan\'s election law ensures the overall transparency of the electoral process, it does not provide for sufficient balance in the composition of local election commissions. According to Tajikistan\'s Central Election Commission, the OSCE\'s long-term observer team will consist of 27 monitors from 16 different countries, with 10 monitors in Dushanbe and 17 in other regions of the country. (RFE/RL)