On a practical level, incumbent President Emomali Rahmon would be allowed to run for re-election indefinitely under the changes.

Rahmon has been the President of Tajikistan for close to a quarter of a century, showing what critics say was an increased disregard for religious freedoms, civil society, and political pluralism in recent years.

[citation needed] According to Reporters Without Borders, the Tajik government had been "blocking", "intimidating" and "threatening" independent media in the buildup to the referendum.

[4] According to Sergey Sirotkin, who headed the Russian observing mission, "[t]he referendum was held in full compliance with the laws".

[6] Over 3,200 polling stations were placed in the country, with additional posts available in several major Russian cities for Tajik expatriates.