The elections will be monitored by a full-fledged mission of an international organization

The elections will be monitored by a full-fledged mission of an international organization

         The participation of observers of international organizations and foreign states is considered an important factor in holding open and transparent democratic elections.

         And therefore, international election observation has been accepted all over the world and has become one of the important tasks of supporting universally recognized human rights and ensuring their observance.

         Considering the fact that elections to the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis will be held in Uzbekistan this December and that we are ready to conduct them openly and publicly in accordance with generally recognized international electoral standards, the Central Election Commission sent an invitation to assess the pre-election situation and the preparations for this important political process Specialists from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).

         The Needs Assessment Mission (NLM) praised the pre-election environment and the preparatory process, and the measures taken to ensure free democratic elections in the country. The OSCE has informed that with the adoption of a decision by the Permanent Council on the advisability of sending a plenipotentiary observation mission, it will soon send a full-fledged observation mission to the parliamentary elections.

         The report of the IOC Bureau for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the OSCE notes that reforms carried out in our country under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev aimed at the future in the management of the economy and the state, including liberalization of the foreign exchange market, simplification of the visa regime, and establishment of close cooperation with immediate neighbors, the release of some political prisoners, as well as reforms in the law enforcement system, may be the basis for sending a full-fledged mission.

         The upcoming elections by the OSCE / ODIHR are seen as an important political event in the country's transition to democracy. The report emphasizes that they will be held in conditions of a noticeable update of the electoral law.

         The elimination of restrictions on the participation of individuals of a particular category held in places of serving sentences, the abolition of the institution of quotas for seats in the Legislative Chamber, and the implementation of a number of OSCE recommendations are also positively assessed.

Full support was given to the adoption of the Electoral Code and its examination by the OSCE / ODIHR and the Venice Commission.

         The following are noted separately as important positive changes:

- plans of the Central Election Commission on widespread public awareness of future elections;

- Organization of trainings throughout the country in a cascading manner, aimed at quality training in all areas of the conduct of elections for members of district and district election commissions;

- carrying out systematic work to prevent “family” voting;

- introduction into practice of a single electronic voter list;

- creating the necessary conditions for voting by persons with disabilities.

         In addition, the Mission Needs Assessment report also contains criticisms. For serious study and preparation of proposals for the elimination of defects, a working group has been created.

         Currently, on a number of issues, Uzbekistan has its own principled position, based on many years of experience in conducting elections.

         During the future visit of the OSCE / ODIHR mission, these issues will be comprehensively discussed and the points of view of the parties set out. In any case, we are ready to take into account all the recommendations that will help ensure freedom of expression of our citizens. For this, first of all, will serve our interests.

         Since then, Uzbekistan has implemented a number of recommendations from the OSCE / ODIHR election observation mission. Vivid evidence of this is the adoption of a single election code, the introduction of information and communication technologies in the election process, the improvement of personnel training, and others.

         In contrast to previous elections with a limited number of about thirty observers from the OSCE / ODIHR mission, about three hundred representatives are expected in future elections. According to preliminary information, the mission includes about 30 long-term and 250 short-term observers. The functions of long-term observers include monitoring the various stages of the electoral process, including observations in the regions, short-term observers monitor voting on election day in the areas assigned to them.

         The implementation of such a large-scale observation in future elections will create an opportunity to guarantee freedom of expression of the people, to fairly assess the compliance of the electoral process with democratic principles.

         Ensuring the wide and active participation of observers in future parliamentary elections will serve to further enhance the prestige of the Republic of Uzbekistan as a democratic state.

Central election commission of Uzbekistan