Presidential Election 2016 will be held on December 4, 2016 in the Republic of Uzbekistan which is now in full swing in all parts of the country. Political activities are now getting momentum. The Central Election Commission (CEC) has now registered candidates for the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
It has registered Sarvar Sadullaevich Otamuratov from Milly Tiklanish Democratic Party of Uzbekistan; Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev from the Movement of Entrepreneurs and Businesspeople the Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan; Hatamjon Abdurakhmonovich Ketmonov from the People’s Democratic Party of Uzbekistan; Nariman Madjitovich Umarov from Adolat Social Democratic Party of Uzbekistan. “Article 28 of the Law on Elections of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan” allow all participating political parties to start their electoral campaigning of candidates.
Independent Central Election Commission (CEC)
The Central Election Commission (CEC) always ensures openness and transparency of the election campaign, the creation of suitable conditions for wider media access to information relating to the preparation and conduct of the elections of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The Central Election Commission has accredited more than 500 representatives of national and foreign media, and about 560 local journalists have been accredited by district election commissions.
CEC and Political Campaign in Electronic Media
The Central Election Commission (CEC) being an independent organ of the Uzbek state permits every presidential candidate to equally use the regional as well as national mass media. Each presidential candidate may inform the voters about the basic provisions of their electoral programs. They are provided with free 638 minutes of airtime for each on Uzbekistan and Yoshlar television and radio channels of the National TV and Radio Company, 206 minutes each on the 12 local TV and radio channels of the National TV and Radio Company of Uzbekistan, and 286 minutes on Toshkent TV and radio channel which projects the true spirits of free choice, equal right and above all neutrality of all the state-owned organizations to hold the election according to the best international standards commonly practiced in all the Western and Modern Democracies in the world.
CEC and Political Campaign in Print Media
Every presidential candidate has provided an equal right in the print media too free of charge, in particular in the newspapers Khalq Suzi, Narodnoe Slovo and Pravda Vostoka with 6 pages each, 5 pages each in the papers Ovozi Tojik and Nurly Zhol, as well as 55.5 print space stripes in 30 local newspapers in general. In regions of the country, each candidate will be provide with a total of 642 stands by means of outdoor advertising, special constructions, screens, billboards, as well as the opportunity to use electronic monitors 36 throughout the nation for free placement of campaigning videos.
Moreover, candidates for the presidential elections 2016 are free to determine the types, forms, methods and content of their election campaigning materials in the regional as well as national mass media.
CEC and Administrative Preparations
The CEC has already established 9378 polling stations, including 44 under diplomatic and consular missions of the republic in foreign countries for the elections of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Polling stations are provided with all necessary communications, computer and office equipment, law literature. The designated areas are set for secret voting booths and ballot boxes.
Moreover, the CEC has formed district election commissions to carry out activities, which attracted more than 98 thousand people. Of these, 69 percent had previously been directly involved in the work of election commissions. Women make up 47.4 percent of the members of precinct election commissions and 26.7 percent of the total number of their chairpersons.
Uzbekistan’s Presidential Election 2016 and Political Parties
Uzbekistan has multiparty democracy and four political parties are taking part in the presidential election 2016.
| Political Parties | Presidential Candidates | Objectives |
| Milly Tiklanish (National Revival) Democratic Party It was created on June- 20, 2008, by a decision of the Joint Congress on the basis of confluence of Milly Tiklanish Democratic Party of Uzbekistan and Fidokorlar National Democratic Party. Currently, the party has more than 1.9 thousand members, while the number of primary party organizations is 5578. The supreme body of the party is the Congress that convenes no less than once in five years. The party publication is the socio-political newspaper “Milly Tiklanish” | Sarvar Otamuratov | Creating favorable conditions for the growth of national consciousness, formation and consolidation of the sense of national pride, devotion and love for the country among the citizens of Uzbekistan, Uniting patriots of the country around the party, mobilization of their intellectual and creative potential for serving Uzbekistan and in raising the nation’s international prestige; Making effective contribution to the patriotic education of the younger generation in the spirit of respect, love and pride for Motherland, of readiness in any circumstances to protect and defend the national independence, values, traditions and customs of the people, counter attempts of infringement on its spiritual needs and interests. |
| The Movement of Entrepreneurs and Businesspeople the Liberal Democratic Party It was formed on 15 November 2003. Currently, it unites more than 310 thousand members in 10282 primary organizations of the party. It is now entering the elections as the leading political force. The highest governing body of the Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan is the Congress, which is held at least once every five years. The central publication of UzLiDeP is the socio-political newspaper “XXI ASR”. | Shavkat Mirziyoyev | Achieving and forming into a political force, to discover new opportunities for broader activities of entrepreneurs, businesspeople and farmers, define their prospects both theoretically and practically, effectively protect the interests of this layer of society and ultimately secure a bright future for them. On behalf of this class, to enter the political arena of Uzbekistan and take our rightful place. To mobilize the forces and capabilities of the party to develop and implement, jointly with other parties and movements, the action programs that meet the national interests of the country and strategic perspectives of its development, relating mainly to the construction of a democratic state based on the principles of market economy, rule of law, and the creation of opportunities for the advancement of civil society, impart democratic values in the consciousness of citizens, particularly young people. To ensure the party’s active participation in government and its influence on the emerging social attitudes, in furthering the political and economic reforms. To help address vital problems of socio-economic and political development of the nation, bolster the international standing of Uzbekistan. Contribute to maintaining peace and tranquility, consolidating interethnic and civil harmony in the country. Make a worthwhile contribution to the education of young people in the spirit of respect, love and pride in their Motherland, always ready to protect and promote the independence, spiritual values, national and religious traditions and customs of the people, respect the interests of other ethnic groups, counter attempts to undermine their interests. To enrich the consciousness of the wider public with liberal democratic ideas and values, which constitute the political platform of the party, to organize and conduct well-reasoned work to promote the party policies to consolidate its rank. Nominate candidates, who have loyalty to the ideas of the party and have earned the trust of voters, to the representative and executive bodies of state power. |
| The People’s Democratic Party Its founding congress was formed on November 1, 1991. The party has set up and operates 9955 primary organizations, uniting the party directly. Currently, the People’s Democratic Party of Uzbekistan has more than 424.5 thousand members. The principal party newspapers are “Uzbekistоn Ovozi” published in Uzbek and the weekly “Golos Uzbekistana” in Russian | Hotamzhon Ketmonov | Protection of the interests of populace in need of targeted and social protection of the state and society. This category of citizens are hired workers without professional qualification, permanent job or solid earnings; people with disabilities; senior citizens; low-income families; people in need of financial assistance, social benefits and other forms of targeted social protection. In addressing the social problems associated with the interests and vital needs of people, the party also counts on the support of those who are interested in harmonious social development and social safeguards in the future. Creation of equal opportunities for everyone in career choices, education and reliable guarantees of employment after graduation; formation of a flexible system of pensions and social benefits to ensure full satisfaction of the vital needs of pensioners, persons with disabilities, children without parental care. Further development of the initiatives of the party groups in the local councils of people’s deputies in the elaboration and approval of medium-term investment programs to promote production of goods and services, balanced with regional job creating and training programs for specialists with secondary vocational education and higher education. Particular attention is paid to manufacturing competitive goods from local raw materials and the advancement of services with available necessary resources and in demand of the population. |
| Adolat Social Democratic Party It was founded on February 18, 1995, at the first Founding Congress of the party. Adolat SDPU has currently 135,000 members who are united in 3700 primary party organizations. The supreme body of the party is the Kurultay (Congress). Plenums of the Political Council of the party are held no less than twice a year. The political newspaper “Adolat”, founded on February 22, 1995, is a primary publication of Adolat Social Democratic Party of Uzbekistan | Nariman Umarov | Active participation in building a democratic state with a rule of law, a robust and fair civil society, based on the socially-oriented market economy, as well as in the formation of spiritually cohesive society, which meets the interests of all ethnic groups living in Uzbekistan, where the equality of citizens before the law, their unity, constitutional rights and freedoms are secured. Moreover, intensify democratic processes in consolidating the national independence; train people who serve the Motherland to cement the democratic and constitutional state in Uzbekistan; help citizens to realize their rights, freedoms and duties, uplift political culture; nurture the younger generation through studying our sacred cultural heritage based on national traditions and customs. |
Supportive Role of State Organs
Every state organ of Uzbekistan is protected the free will of the people by providing every possible facility to conduct fair, free and transparent presidential election 2016. Uzbekistan’s Central Elections Commission has constitutional status which clearly showcases its complete independency and neutrality is taking all important decisions which reaffirm total transparency, fair-paly, equal opportunity and free choice for the upcoming election 2016. Moreover, series of politicization and democratization have further strengthened political stability, civic maturity, democracy and socio-economic sustainability in Uzbekistan which promotes spirits of decency, rule of the law and accountability in its political system.
The above mentioned actors act as binding force which promotes peace, harmony and tolerance in Uzbekistan. High level of political stability and functional parliament controls important decisions through the concept of “Separation of Power & Checks and Balances” in the dynamic “constitution”.
| Sr. No. | Sections | Details/Utility |
| 1 | First Section | It defines the major principles of the Constitution |
| 2 | Second Section | It secures the fundamental rights, freedoms, and responsibilities of the people and citizens |
| 3 | Third Section | It is devoted to the economic and social bedrock of the state |
| 4 | fourth section | It determines the administrative, territorial and state structure |
| 5 | Fifth Section | It defines the structure and functions of the government |
| 6 | Sixth Section | It regulates the order of its amendment |
Parliament
Uzbekistan has a bicameral parliament.
| Uzbekistan’s Parliament | Constitutional Composition |
| The Legislative Chamber (Lower House) | It consists of 150 members. One hundred and thirty five of them are elected in accordance with territorial electoral districts on the multiparty basis. Fifteen seats are granted to the Ecological Movement of Uzbekistan. |
| The Senate (Upper House) | It is formed of the members of local representative bodies of the government during their joint sessions, in equal quantity per six persons from the Republic of Karakalpakstan, regions and the city of Tashkent. Sixteen members of the Senate are appointed by the President of Uzbekistan from among the most authoritative citizens of the country. The term of office of the Parliament is 5 years. |
Respect for People’s Free Choice
Concept of people’s free choice is one the main pillars of modern democracies around the world. There are two distinctive political systems in the world i.e. Presidential and Parliamentary.
Holding of Presidential Elections through direct vote is a healthy sign for politicization and democratization drive in Uzbekistan that all existing political parties in the country the Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan, the People’s Democratic Party of Uzbekistan, the Democratic Party of Uzbekistan “Milly Tiklanish” and the Social Democratic Party “Adolat” have now been registered their candidates for the upcoming presidential election 2016.
The results of the parliamentary 2014 and Presidential Elections 2015 have confirmed once again that Uzbekistan has a qualitative political system, in which powers of the parliament has been expanded and the role of civil society institutions have been further strengthened. It is hope that the forthcoming presidential elections in Uzbekistan will be another important step towards building a democratic constitutional state and achieving high ratios of socio-economic prosperity.
Uzbekistan has a stable and dynamically political system, with a bicameral parliament. Necessary changes have been institutionalized which ensure the free and active participation of citizens, political parties and other civil society institutions in the implementation of the most important tasks of social, economic, political and legal development of the state and the last but not the least, Elections (Parliament, Presidential).
The Law ‘On Introduction of Changes and Amendments to some Articles of the Constitution of Uzbekistan (Articles 78, 80, 93, 96 and 98)’ has further deepened democratization of the state’s power and management, ensuring a more balanced distribution of powers between three subjects of the state authority: the President (head of state), Legislative and Executive branches. A part of it the President’s authority was transferred to the Senate, while the Prime Minister’s powers were strengthened. Presidential Election will definitely further strengthen its massive drives of politicization and democratization in the country.
| Uzbekistan’s President | Constitutional Protocols |
| President | The President takes necessary measures on the protection of sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of the Republic of Uzbekistan, implementation of decisions regarding its national state structure; The President represents the Republic of Uzbekistan within the country and in international relations. |
| Conduct Negotiations | President conducts negotiations and signs treaties and agreements of the Republic of Uzbekistan, ensures the observance of the negotiated by the Republic treaties, agreements and the assumed by its obligations |
| Ensures Interaction | The President ensures interaction of the supreme bodies of authority and administration of the Republic; forms and abolish, upon the nomination of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan, ministries, state committees and other bodies of state administration with subsequent submission of decrees on these matters for approval by the chambers of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan. |
| Supreme Commander | The President is the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Uzbekistan, appoints and relieves the supreme command of the Armed Forces of the post and confers the highest military ranks |
| Awards Orders | The President awards orders, medals and certificates of honour of the Republic of Uzbekistan, confer qualification and honorary titles of the Republic of Uzbekistan. |
| Issues Decrees | The President, based on the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan, issues decrees, resolutions and ordinances binding on the entire territory of the Republic on the basis of and for enforcement of the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan. |
Constitution
Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan was adopted on December 8, 1992, by the 11th Session of the Supreme Council of the 12th convocation. It is based on the provisions of UN documents, “the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and international public law”. The Constitution consists of the preamble and six sections which include 26 chapters and 128 articles.
Uzbekistan being a democratic country has devoted 60 of the 128 articles of its constitution to the legal status of Uzbekistan’s people and citizens which is clear evidence of the country’s attention to populations’ rights and values.
Composition of the Uzbekistan’s Parliament upholds the democratic norms of “Separation of Powers” and “Checks and Balances” which is the basic essence of all the Western Democracies in the world. It has constitutional powers to execute for the greater good of the general masses. It connects governance with people and makes bridges of better political understanding to achieve high levels of socio-economic development in the country. Moreover, “Bicameral Parliament” institutionalizes concept of regional equality, free-play and nationalism in the country. Every vote is counted and every region is scared and political representation in the Uzbek Parliament in shape of The Senate (Upper House).
Cabinet of Ministers
Executive power in the Republic of Uzbekistan is exercised by the Cabinet of Ministers
| Cabinet of Ministers | Constitutional Duties & Responsibilities |
| Ensuring Guidance | It is responsible for ensuring guidance over effective functioning of the economy, social and cultural development, execution of the laws, and other decisions of Oliy Majlis, as well as decrees and resolutions issued by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. |
| Collective Leadership | It is guided by principles of collective leadership, democracy and legality, accounting for interests of all ethnic groups inhabiting the Republic of Uzbekistan. |
| Issues Resolutions | It issues resolutions and ordinances in compliance with the current legislation. This shall be binding on all bodies of administration, enterprises, institutions, organizations, officials and citizens throughout the Republic of Uzbekistan. |
Prime Minister
Prime Minister is one of the important functionaries of Uzbekistan Parliament.
| Uzbekistan’s Prime Minister | Constitutional Protocols |
| Leads | PM leads the activity of the Cabinet of Ministers. The nominee of the Prime Minister proposed to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan by the party occupying majority seats in the legislative chamber of Oliy Majlis or by several parties which form a coalition. The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan over a ten day period should introduce the nominee to the joint session of both chambers of Oliy Majlis. |
President
The President is the Head of state and acts as the guarantor of the observation of rights and freedoms of citizens, the Constitution and the laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
President is the symbol of national unity, dignity and stability. He showcases the collective political wisdom of its people. He is elected through direct vote.
The above table clearly shows that Uzbekistan is a democratic country where President is elected through “Direct Vote” who has certain democratic duties and responsibilities to perform within the constructional farm-work.
The details of duties and responsibilities of the “Cabinet of Ministers” reaffirm the “Concept of Political Neutrality and Functionality in the Realms of Governance”. Uzbekistan’s Cabinet of Ministers exercises executive powers delegated by its “Constitution”.
The above table highlights the constitutional powers of Prime Minister in Uzbekistan. Constitutional structure of the Uzbekistan’s Parliament witnesses massive politicization and democratization where every organ of the “State” and “Parliament” work within the prescribed domain granted by the constitution of the country.
In all modern democracies path of further political stability and deepening of socio-economic sustainability rest on the continuity of the Political System. Being a knowledge based economy it has already further deepened the process of politicization and democratization process in the country due to which Presidential elections in Uzbekistan will be held on the basis of total transparency, fair-play, equal opportunity and the last but not the least people’s free choice.
Electoral System Development
| Steady Legislative Progress | Laws |
| 2003 | “On elections to the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan”, “On elections to the regional, district and city councils of people’s deputies” |
| 2008 | “On the election of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan” and other legislative acts. |
| 2011 | “The Concept of further deepening democratic reforms and formation of civil society in the country”. |
During the years of independence in Uzbekistan as a result of consistent and onward modernization of political, public and judicial system has established an electoral system, which meets the most modern democratic values and standards. A strong legislative base has been formed in the country which has incorporated the basic principles of a number of international law acts the foundation of the electoral legislation of the republic is its constitution.
It has now a solid legal basis, the basis of which, surely, upcoming Presidential will be held according to the Constitution of the country. In addition, the country has a separate group of legal acts in which the election is held freely and fairly. Its electoral system has an objectivity which has further strengthened by so many legal regulations. All these laws have passed successfully through the test of time and have shown effectiveness in the previous elections of Parliament and Presidency.
Moreover, the electoral system and the legal framework of Uzbekistan have a vector in the direction of liberalization, aimed at simplifying the electoral procedures. For example, in the last mentioned changes in the electoral law the number of signatures from the total number of voters has been decreased from 5 to 1 percent that must be collected by political party to nominate a presidential candidate. All this testifies the fact that Uzbekistan has formed the necessary legislative framework for the elections at the highest level, which will be duly appreciated by the international community.
Uzbekistan Central Elections Commission has already taken all possible measures to conduct the upcoming elections in Uzbekistan by the most transparent and democratic way. It has created all conditions for the forthcoming political events in an atmosphere of openness in which people can make their choice. Upcoming Presidential Elections 2016 will be an important step toward building a democratic state and strengthening the foundations of the republic’s prosperity.
Over the years of independent development, there have been major transformations in the electoral legislation and law of Uzbekistan. Entire packages of legislative changes and amendments made in the years 2003, 2008, 2012 and 2014 have practically formulated the new electoral system of the country.
These electoral laws were embedded with the fundamental position on holding elections to representative bodies solely on multi-party basis, that the candidates for the Legislative Chamber are nominated by political parties and candidates for local councils by the relevant bodies of political parties in those regions. It provided a gradual liberalization of the national electoral system, elections to the bicameral parliament in full compliance with the requirements of law and widely accepted international principles and norms.
At the initiative of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Law “On amendments and additions to certain articles of the Constitution (Articles 32, 78, 93, 98, 103 and 117)”have been adopted which has already improved the efficiency of legal mechanisms. It aimed at creating equal conditions and opportunities for political parties and candidates to Parliament during the election campaign, reliable supply of electoral rights of citizens. Their free expression of will, the transparency of the electoral commissions activity, implementation of new forms, methods and conditions for holding the election agitation have been further strengthened.
Implementation of legislative initiatives aimed at further improvement of the electoral system of the Republic of Uzbekistan has been indicated in the Concept of deepening democratic reforms and formation of the civil society in the country. Thereunder, a group of MPs in the lower house of the Parliament has initiated development of a draft law, which provides amendments to the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan”, the Budget Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan on administrative responsibility.
Amendments to Article 117 of Chapter XXIII “The electoral system” of the Basic Law stipulates that the Parliament will form the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan for organizing and holding elections of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, in Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as a referendum. The most important guarantee of democratic elections is the constitutional recognition of the status of the Central Election Commission as an independent democratic institution for organizing and holding elections without any interference from other government authorities.
The citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan have the right to vote and to be elected to representative bodies of government. Each constituent has one vote. Presidential elections, as well as the elections of representative bodies of government, are carried out on the basis of universal, equal and direct suffrage by secret ballot. Citizens upon reaching the age of 18 gain electoral rights. Citizens who are recognized by the court as incapable those who are incarcerated cannot be elected or take part in the elections.
The Central Electoral Commission is the main organizer of the election campaign. No body or person has the right to interfere with the electoral process. Any attempts to interfere in the election campaign, circumvent, violate the law will be stopped and persecuted in accordance with the law.
Uzbekistan’s Central Elections Commission has already announced scheduled of upcoming Presidential Elections to be held on December 4, 2016 in the country. Its announcement is accordance with Articles 96, 117 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Article 8 of the Law “On elections of the President of Uzbekistan”, Articles 5 and 9 of the Law “On the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan”. An intense election preparation has been started in all electoral districts. According to CEC, 713 electoral precincts have been formed in Tashkent. Information about the boundaries of each electoral precinct, specifying the addresses of the buildings of precinct electoral commissions has been published in mass media for voters.
Moreover, members of the district election commissions from among members of the wider public has been approved by the Central Election Commission on recommendation of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, regional and Tashkent city councils of people’s deputies.
The CEC has adopted a decision to create constituencies for the presidential election. The CEC has formed 14 electoral districts within the boundaries of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, regions and Tashkent city. The total number of voters included in the lists of the constituencies is 21.435 million. The Constitution grants every adult citizen who has reached 18 years of age the right to vote.
Transparency in Presidential Elections
Presidential Elections are carried out by CEC. Only political parties have rights to nominate their candidates in the Presidential Elections. Preparation and holding of the Presidential Elections shall be undertaken by electoral commissions in open and transparent manner.
Electoral commissions shall inform citizens of their work, establishment of electoral districts, wards, members of electoral commission, their location and business hours, disclose voters register, the list of political parties running in the elections, provide information about the candidates for President of Republic of Uzbekistan (hereinafter – candidate for Presidency), and results of votes and elections.
Pre-Election Campaigning
Pre-election campaigning shall start on the day of registration of candidates for Presidency by the Central Electoral Commission. Candidates for Presidency shall be provided equal opportunities to use the media in the order determined by the Central Electoral Commission. Meeting with the electorate shall be organized by the ward electoral commission providing for equal opportunities for all candidates. Local authorities and public organizations, and civil self-governance institutions shall provide candidates for Presidency with equipped premises, assist candidates for Presidency in organization of meetings with the electorate, and in receiving required data and information. Voters shall be informed of time and venue of meetings in timely manner.
Candidates for Presidency shall have the right to promote their election program. Programs of candidates for Presidency shall not be directed against sovereignty, integrity, and security of Uzbekistan, shall not inflict harm on health and morale of the people, contain war propaganda, ethnic hatred, racial and religious confrontation, calls for overthrow of constitutional order, actions limiting the constitutional rights and liberties of citizens. Campaigning accompanied by provision free or subsidized provision of goods and services (except information) to voters, and financial payments shall be prohibited. Campaigning on the elections day shall not be permitted.
Elections are considered invalid if turnout is less than 33 percent of voters included in the voter lists. Information about the outcome of the presidential election of Uzbekistan is published by the Central Election Commission not later than ten days after the election.
Uzbekistan has high level of democratization of society in which the elections are the important political process. Uzbekistan is organized country and able to carry out such a complex events as the election at a high level. It is promoted by accumulated experience of Uzbekistan in this field and the development of the legal basis for strengthening the electoral system. It ensures openness and transparency of the electoral process which is a guarantee of the implementation of the electoral rights of citizens. During the election campaign, the mass media is not only the main channel for informing the voters, but also an important instrument of social control.
Uzbekistan is fully engaged and busy for the upcoming elections. All political parties expressed their desire to participate in the election of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and to this end, the CEC presented a package of necessary documents.
In accordance with Article 24 of the Law “On Elections of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan” the right to nominate the candidate for the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan is possessed by political parties. Thus every political party has already nominated its candidate for the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the condition that it is registered by the Ministry of Justice no later than six months prior to the date of announcement of the election campaign.
The collection of signatures is one of the important initial stages of the election campaign. In Uzbekistan all the political parties began collecting signatures of voters supporting presidential candidates. In accordance with the law “On elections of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan”, political parties are now busy to win the essential support for its presidential candidates by collecting signatures of at least 1 percent of the overall number of voters in the Republic of Uzbekistan, and their signature lists should contain signatures of voters representing not fewer than 8 administrative-territorial units. In the process of collecting signatures, the regional council of every party is conducting large-scale propagation events for the purpose of raising people’s political activeness and increasing the election-related awareness of citizens, especially young people voting in elections for the first time.
Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan is taking all possible measures to hold fair, free and transparent presidential elections. It has already invited many regional as well as international organizations to observe the upcoming elections. In this connection, the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the Executive Committee of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS Executive Committee), the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB) have been officially invited to observe the elections of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
During Presidential Elections, television is the primary source of political information, followed by radio, which is more popular in rural areas. Since the last presidential election 2015, social platforms have become more prominent compared with the print media. While the Press and Information Agency (PIA) reports that in total there are 1,392 media outlets, 79 per cent of which are privately owned will cover the process of preparation of the elections, as well as in polling stations on Election Day and counting of votes at each polling station. Print media, TV and radio, observers from other states, international organizations and movements will also rigorously monitor the elections.
According to the “Law on Guarantees of Suffrage to Citizens” the president is elected by popular vote by a simple majority of votes cast. If no candidate receives more than 50 per cent of votes cast, a second round between the two leading candidates takes place within one month. There is a turnout requirement of 33 percent for the first round to be valid, but no such requirement is in place for the second round. Citizens of at least 35 years of age, with an excellent command of the Uzbek language and having resided in the country for at least 10 years before Election Day, are eligible to stand as candidates.
The election is administered by a three-tiered election administration: the CEC, 14 District Election Commissions (DECs), and 9,060 PECs, including 44 PECs in diplomatic missions in 36 countries. The CEC is a permanent body, while the DECs and PECs are set up for each election. The CEC is responsible for overseeing the uniform implementation of the election legislation and clarifying its application in practice. Changes made to the Constitution in 2014 granted the CEC the status of a constitutional body and established independence, lawfulness, collegiality, transparency, and fairness as the guiding principles of its work.
The principles of freedom of choice and expression, primarily, the constitutional right of everyone to vote and be elected to representative bodies of state power serves as a basis of a national model of Uzbekistan’s statehood. Reforms in the sphere of election are systemic, coherent and interrelate. Moreover, giving the CEC status of the constitutional body, takes a special place in the system of state power, which provides practical preparation and holding of elections without any interference from other state bodies is an important guarantee of comprehensive support the democratic, open and transparent elections.
Concluding Remarks
Presidential Election 2016 will be held on December 4, 2016. Presidential candidates have been registered with the Central Elections Commission (CEC) of Uzbekistan. Principles of Presidential Election are laid down in the constitution and laws of CEC which is next to impossible to break or deviate. Every policy, procedure and methods has already been clearly mentioned which is equally followed and rule of the law is always there to be respected and implemented.
It has a complete set of elections regulatory/ statutory bodies which is headed by its independent Central Elections Commission. It has constitutional protection due to which it always acts independently. It always ensures and achieves high standards of fair-play, equal right and transparency in every election to be held in the country. So, Western so-called unfairness, partiality and pre or post-election riggings is a sign of prejudice and dishonesty.
All the administrative preparations have been finalized and ordered. Even invitation to prominent think-tanks, forums, NGOs, institutes and centers around the world have been sent for International Observers. Some of the International Observers are now in Tashkent to participate and judge the ongoing political process and presidential election campaigns in the country.
The Republic of Uzbekistan is a democratic country where “constitution dominates over all the legislatives and executives powers”. It has elected parliament which is formed through fair, free and transparent elections in the country. Its duality provides necessary separation of powers and checks and balances in the political system. There is no political ambiguity in the functions of the state organs. There is no “constitutional deadlock” experienced in the country whereas, most of the countries of South East Asia, Africa, Latin America and even some parts of EU commonly confront a “smooth transfer of power” which shows its strong belief in equal political leveling and further deepening of politicization and democratization.
Uzbek Parliament ensures pure rule of the law. It upholds social justice in the country where every citizen is protected. It encourages politicization. It promotes process of democratization in every sphere of the government and society alike. It has one of the oldest models of democracy i.e. “Street Democracy” where local political representation is executed through fair and free elections. So, Western propaganda about the nature and type of Uzbek governance is totally baseless because free choice and will of the common voter is always weighted, counted and documented.
The Republic of Uzbekistan is one of the most vibrant countries in the CIS in terms of government and private mass media. Its mass media is independent and responsible which covers all the process of any election. 4th pillar of the democracy i.e. “Free Media” is very much developed in the country which cares about the vested interests of its common people. It believes in development and not in destruction.
Uzbek mass media upholds the traditions of participatory community development which protects elements of free, fair and transparency in the every election in the country. During Presidential Election foreign observes and international media is officially allowed to cover the political activities and election campaigning throughout the country. So, Western mantra about a false electoral system has no socio-politico-legal values it is because of their own vested interests and ground realities are totally different in Uzbekistan which projects it as democratic country.
The Republic of Uzbekistan has vast network of Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) and most of them working in the fields of politics, economics, women empowerment, media, education, social service and the last but not the least, elections. Heavy presence of NGOs in every election in the country tends to protect the rights of voters and preserve real essence of democracy that is free, fair and transparency.
The Republic of Uzbekistan is a democratic country where civility always dominates. Women are almost half of the electoral process which shows high levels of political maturity in the country where as most of the European Countries have given women right of vote only in recent times.
Uzbekistan has one of the highest voting rates in the world because of its politically vibrant society and its better understanding towards the importance of elections where every vote is counted. There is no concept to “Buy Votes” through any political affiliation, government influence, showering of monetary gains or use of naked power. Uzbekistan is a peace loving country where everything is settled through meaningful dialogue and voting is a national duty.
It has one of the highest electoral legal cultures in the regional as well as world due to which it has always very high voting trends which are always a surprise for the Western Mass Media which is baseless. In every election votes are cast with free choice and not on personal prejudices, communal preferences, ethnicity diversities, corporate mileages, caste, color and religion as commonly contested in most of Asia, Africa, Middle East and some parts of the EU.
Majority of votes is a well-established universal democratic criterion which decides a “Winner” in any election which is supremely followed in Uzbekistan. Election campaign is carried out on the basis of equality, tranquility and without any prejudice where people tend to decide the winners. It is a people-democracy and not money-democracy where people honestly elect their Parliament members and President.
There is no hustle and bustle on the Election Day. Every electoral activity is carried out through peaceful manner. Exhibition of arms, snatching of ballot papers and use of power which is one of the common features in so many democracies of South East Asia, Africa and Latin America is strictly prohibited and totally banned. There is no concept of pre or post engineered rigging in all the elections of Uzbekistan which clearly shows impartiality of its state and its important organs in the process of elections moreover, which also reaffirms its maturity in democratic norms. Presidential Elections 2016 will be adhered on the principles of fair, free, openness and transparency.
The Republic of Uzbekistan is a pure democratic country where “deity of democracy is lived and carried through good governance, rule of the law, community development and provisions of basic necessities of life” to all the people in the country. Deity of democracy has been institutionalized through separation of powers and checks and balances due to which chances of corruption have already been marginalized. Elements of accountability, fair-play and equal rights have been implemented in every sphere of governance. Voters are real Victors and upcoming Presidential Elections 2016 would further translate political stability in socio-economic sustainability and Uzbekistan would be more prosper, strong and democratic in the days to come.
