The election campaign in the country was held in a qualitatively new political and socioeconomic environment. Experts note the current stage of civil society development is characterized by an increased activity of political parties in the struggle for hearts and minds of the electorate.

Distinct also were citizens who wanted to vote consciously, well-aware that their choice is not confined to the candidate in the ballot paper. For citizens expressed their support for the political party that presented its candidate and in the coming year that party will create its own faction in the new parliament to promote interests of all those who assigned them so high a confidence.

Accordingly, noble responsibility lies on the political parties, their leaders and activists. It is their skills, knowledge, self-confidence and scruples in defending the chosen position and in promoting and implementing the ideas that can lead the nation forward.

On election day the President of Uzbekistan stated that “elections are expression of voters’ free will with a profound understanding of their rights. By participating in elections we not only exercise our right to vote guaranteed by the Constitution, but also acknowledge the responsibility for the destiny of Motherland.”

Political and socioeconomic reforms in the country are known to have been implemented in gradual way. The electoral system also undergoes transition process in strict adherence to universally accepted standards and democratic principles.

These were the objectives of recent amendments introduced to the national electoral legislation. Thus, in order to raise the lawmaking efficiency, the number of seats in the lower house increased from 120 to 150.

The current legislation introduced an institution of authorized representative of political party who may participate in vote counting at polling stations; the number of candidates’ representatives increased from 5 to 10.

Given the great importance of environmental issues, ecological amelioration, human health, a matter of entire society’s concern, 15 seats in the Legislative Chamber is reserved for the Ecologicy Movement of Uzbekistan.

Uniting the environmentalists, granting the Ecology Movement a political status, became not only an indication of the growing activity of nongovernmental institutions, but also revealed one of the important priorities that require an urgent attention of the society.

There are indisputably great expectations from environmentalist parliamentarians. They can and must become idea conveyors of more than 200 nongovernmental environmental organizations that comprised the Ecology Movement. The mandates granted to them constitute a vote of confidence by citizens in addressing their interests and drawing international attention to critical environmental problems.

Numerous observers and experts stated that the changes in the electoral legislation of Uzbekistan were aimed at further liberalization and democratization of the electoral system, bolstering the role of political parties, mobilizing all civil society institutions.

Election race

The election run-up in the country was characterized by a fierce struggle among the candidates accompanied sometimes by harsh criticism from opponents, desire to convince the electorate of advantages of their ideas and programs and expose shortcomings in those of opponents.

During the debates, parties revealed characteristics of each political stream: what priorities they chose, whose interests are represented in the first place and the contribution they intend to make to the further progress in society and nation. Discussion between the contending parties allowed voters to get a clearer picture of the real potential of various political forces represented in the political arena.

Today, analysts acknowledge the fact that the competition among political parties has shifted to a new level. This testifies again to the dynamic progress in the country’s civil society, a reflection of a consolidating democratic society.

In accordance with the law, the Central Election Commission formed 135 electoral districts, 8,447 polling stations including 44 stations in Uzbekistan’s missions in foreign states, and established district election commissions.

At the final stage, 506 candidates nominated by Adolat Social Democratic Party of Uzbekistan, Milliy Tiklanish Democratic Party of Uzbekistan, Movement of Entrepreneurs and Business People - Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan and the People’s Democratic Party of Uzbekistan ran for mandates. This means that every parliamentary seat was contested among 3-4 candidates.

Harsh competition has led to the fact that candidates in 39 constituencies failed to collect the required number of votes. And now, in accordance with the law, the Central Election Commission in two weeks shall hold a second vote for two candidates who obtained the greatest number of votes in each of these constituencies. In accordance with the law, the elected will be the candidate who obtains a simple majority of votes in the second ballot.

Observers’ assessment

Transparency and openness of elections was provided by the institution of observers. The Central Election Commission had registered more than 270 observers from 36 states and four missions of international organizations: the OSCE/ODIHR, Executive Committee of CIS, SCO and the OIC that monitored the elections to the Legislative Chamber of the Uzbek parliament. In addition, the district election commissions issued respective mandates to more than 45,000 observers and authorized representatives of political parties participating in elections.

Over 630 representatives of domestic and foreign media outlets provided broad coverage of the electoral process.

The official and informal opinion of international and local observers were largely similar. They stated that the elections were held in accordance with the Constitution of the country, current electoral law and universally recognized norms of democratic elections.

Thus, the statement of mission of observers from Shanghai Cooperation Organization emphasized that “the elections to the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan were free, transparent and conformed to the requirements of national legislation and international commitments. Violations that could question the results of elections were not registered.”

Indicative was the turnout, which drew the attention of numerous observers. They noted that at elections held these days in some other countries, sounded a deep disappointment at the passivity of the electorate and indifference to an important political event.

At the same time, people of Uzbekistan demonstrated their high sense of responsibility and involvement in the process of enhancing the role of political institutions in the country. The turnout in the elections to the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan and local representative bodies of state authority made up 87.8%, or 15,108,950 voters. Behind these raw figures, there is a very significant trend confirming an increased level of political maturity of the society, the result of voters’ free will, a demonstration of strengthening foundations of state sovereignty and democratic bases of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The detailed analysis of the elections yet to be drawn up, however, already today we can say with confidence that these elections will promote the further development of democracy and the rule of law in Uzbekistan.

CIS Executive Committee: Elections in Uzbekistan were open and free

Sergey Lebedev,

head of CIS Executive Committee mission, Chairman of Executive Committee, CIS Executive Secretary:

On election day, representatives of the mission visited 787 polling stations in 98 electoral districts in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, regions and the city of Tashkent. Elections were held in accordance with the rules of the electoral legislation of the country, in a peaceful atmosphere high turnout. Polling stations provided transparent procedures for both voting and counting of votes. Participation of authorized representatives of political parties in vote counting has increased public control over the activities of local election commissions.

The mission of observers from the Commonwealth of Independent States ascertains that elections to the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan held on December 27, 2009 we held in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, current election legislation and universally recognized norms of democratic elections. The mission recognizes elections to be free, open and stresses that they demonstrated political maturity of society, provided for voters to express free will, strengthened the bases of state sovereignty and the democratic foundations of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

 

SCO mission: no violations registered that could question the results of elections

Sherali Jononov,

“Our mission visited before the election several polling stations in Tashkent as well as cities and districts in Bukhoro, Navoi, Samarqand, Jizzakh, Sirdaryo and Tashkent regions. On election day, the mission attended 87 polling stations in Tashkent city, as well as towns and villages in Tashkent and Sirdaryo regions.

In general, it should note the organization of polling stations that experienced active turnout. At the polling stations visited by the mission, there were observers from political parties, representatives of candidates and international observers.

The mission could chouse polling stations to visit, watch the electoral process and obtain necessary information from local election commissions. Representatives of the mission were present during the counting of ballots and compiling of protocols on the results of voting at polling stations.

The mission believes that the elections to the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan were free, transparent and conformed to the requirements of national legislation and international commitments. No violations that could question the results of elections were registered.

OIC mission: people demonstrate great responsibility and involvement in the process

Sukru Tufan,

The new OIC Charter requests Member States uphold and promote, at the national and international level, good governance, democracy, human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law.

During the accomplishment of its mission of monitoring the elections, the OIC delegation had free access to polling stations and witnessed a great enthusiasm of Uzbek citizens in participating to the parliamentary elections. The OIC delegation was able to visit a number of polling stations where it did not notice any irregularities in the electoral process.

I would like take this opportunity to congratulate people of Uzbekistan with their mass participation in the elections, thus showing a high spirit of responsibility and involvement in the enforcement of political institutions in the country. On behalf of the OIC Observer Mission, I would also like to express our satisfaction for the smooth and transparent way Uzbekistan handled these elections. We are confident that these elections would further reinforce the democracy and the rule of law in Uzbekistan.

 

In the elections there are worthy examples to be studied

Vasiliy Volkov,

The electoral legislation of Uzbekistan meets all international election standards, the Declaration of Human Rights, as well as international conventions governing electoral processes. Uzbek legislation ensures electoral process to be open, transparent. I did not notice any interference with the will of citizens, everyone was free to vote as he or she believed it right.

Innovations introduced in the electoral legislation proved rather significant. This is about 15 seats reserved for the Ecology Movement. Fifteen seats in the country’s highest legislative body is a large number that enable environmentalists to defend the rights of all those who follow the principles of nature protection and unspoiled environment.

There are other interesting examples I will also report to my colleagues in the Russian CEC concerning the compilation of voter lists, organization of home voting. I think these are worthy examples that should be studied and applied in our country.

I have read the CEC Concept. The main provisions of this concept deserve deep study in Russia.

Elections showed voters’ confidence in parties

Mohan Dhar,

The major feature of these elections is that people become more enthusiastic about the elections, voters know that they have a chance to exert influence on the development of the country. In their turn, political parties have also noticeably stepped up their activities; they promote their ideas among the population. If we compare with the previous parliamentary elections, when candidates were able to spend only several hundreds of meetings with voters, this year the number of meetings grew hundredfold. This means that the principles of democracy in the country are rapidly developing, and these elections have shown a deserved voters’ confidence the parties had won.

Political parties in Uzbekistan are fighting with each other, promote their ideas and lobbying laws in the interests of the electorate. It is important that parties do not lose touch with the electorate. And in the future it will become a tradition to provide voters with progress reports and implementation of election promises.

Principles of openness and transparency reaffirmed in practice

Yar Muhammad Badini,

Uzbek media were very active in covering the election campaign. They continuously monitored the entire process, quickly communicated the information to the voters.

The CEC provided high organizational level. Journalists had all the necessary conditions for work. In particular, journalists themselves were able to observe the voting process on site. This clearly confirmed in practice the principles of openness and transparency the elections enjoyed in Uzbekistan.

Elections prove that the country is democratic. People themselves have chosen worthy representatives of the legislature. Once people believed them and elected them, they should faithfully fulfill their tasks and justify the trust. In conversation with voters I noted that they are well aware of the activities of parties and everyone has their opinion, and this suggests that voters are well-versed in political life of the country. 

 

Increasing the responsibility of candidates

Anatoliy Kinakh,

member of the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine:

Changes that Uzbekistan has undergone in recent years, both in the electoral system and in public administration prove very positive. All these changes are aimed at establishing in Uzbekistan a democratic civil society where the major bearer of power is the people. The fact that today political parties take a more active role in the elections and constructing the structures of power is certainly a positive step.

I should note that recent amendments to the electoral legislation of Uzbekistan made it more democratic and liberal thus enabled more authorized representatives of political parties in elections.

The move made toward the abolition of the institution of initiative groups of voters allowed to raise the liability of candidates and in turn political structures that choose him. This new mechanism of accountability will allow society to monitor the performance of the elected member or the political body in general.

In addition, I welcome the provision of 15 mandates for the environmentalists. Lawmakers from the Ecology Movement now able to more effectively address environmental problems at the legislative level.

 

Voters have the choice

Sylvie d’Isari,

All stages of the election campaign for the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis provoked strong public interest, and therefore it is logical that they were accompanied by close attention from both local and international media outlets.

Journalists covering the campaign had no barriers. They were provided with all available means and technology to support their work, make it faster, better and more objective. I was able to visit several polling stations where I saw a great work done to ensure access for citizens of Uzbekistan to freely express their political views. Most important there was that voters had a choice between this or that candidate.

International observers in Uzbekistan were allowed full freedom of movement, this is the democracy.

Mass media conveyed different views

Nikos Bardunias,

Today, environmental issues play a huge role. The whole globe is concerned about environmental challenges and the fact that Uzbekistan decided to provide 15 seats to the Ecology Movement proves that your country is developing in line with the global trends and seeks to address these issues at the highest level.

Uzbekistan has four political parties, through which any person can express his ideas and bring them to the government. For whenever people vote for representatives of these parties in parliament, they believe that they can express their ideas.

Debates and competition among candidates have greatly increased. This year, you have an institution of authorized observers of the party. Now political parties can control the work of election commissions.

Journalists covered various issues concerning the election campaign, positions of all parties. There is difference of opinions, approach to issues and this speaks about the development of democracy in the country.

 

Harsh political struggle

Mohammad Saloma,

The first time I was in Uzbekistan in 1986, then participated as an observer in the parliamentary elections in 2004. Since that time, political system of the country has undergone radical changes in the development of democracy.

The progress made by political parties is especially notable. They work more closely with the population, promote their programs, there is a live political struggle. During this election campaign, parties were actively debating with each other, criticizing each other’s platforms. This is the result of increased competition between them, the struggle for the electorate. And if the ultimate goals of all parties in Uzbekistan lead to the progress of society, the ways to achieve these goals vary from party to party.

I have read the CEC Concept and should note that this is a very important document. It provides all conditions for an open work of the media, observers that certainly confirms the democratic elections.

A large number of observers came to the elections from different countries that testifies to the transparency and openness of their conduct.

 

The electoral process meets international standards

Peter Spary,

This is the first parliamentary elections in Uzbekistan I have the honor to observe. The first thing that strikes the eye is a high organizational level of the electoral process. I watched the voting process since the opening of stations at 6 am to 8 pm when they closed. Their work was perfect, at the international level.

As to political parties, in my opinion they demonstrated active PR campaigns. There were a lot of billboards on the streets. In addition, representatives of parties personally monitored the voting, counting of votes on election day. This is the certificate of transparency of your electoral system.

It should be noted that Uzbekistan uses transparent ballot boxes which also speaks of the openness of elections.

I am very pleased with the transformations and achievements of Uzbekistan that moves along the path of progress, building a strong civil society and a developed democratic state.