Poll: Satisfaction of Tajikistan people up

DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, Feb. 5 (UPI) -- A non-profit agency said Friday its poll of Tajikistan residents indicates satisfaction in the overall situation in the country increased in recent years.

The International Foundation for Electoral Systems said in a release that 68 percent of respondents to the 2010 poll were very or somewhat satisfied with the overall situation in Tajikistan, up from 65 percent in 2004 and 22 percent in 1996.

In comparison, residents very or somewhat dissatisfied with the country's overall situation represented 30 percent of respondents in the 2010 poll. In the 2004 and 1996 polls, 28 percent and 67 percent were dissatisfied, respectively.

Results from the 2010 poll indicate 79 percent of Tajikistan residents are completely or somewhat satisfied with the current level of protection they receive regarding their political and personal freedoms as citizens.

Seventy-eight percent of respondents were satisfied with the country's electoral system while only 22 percent were satisfied with the availability of electricity and natural gas.

The 2010 poll was based on a sample size of 1,500 adults polled Dec. 18-Jan. 6. The poll has a margin of error of 2.53 percentage points.