European Observers’ (LROM) Report on Referendum 2023 of Uzbekistan – A Critical Review

Tazeen Akhtar / Observer of Referendum 2023 from Pakistan

Limited Referendum Observation Mission Office (LROM)for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) has issued a report titling “Statement of Preliminary Findings and Conclusions” on the Referendum in Uzbekistan held on 30 April, 2023. The Mission has appreciated some reforms in the constitution suggested by ODIHR and admitted a number of steps taken to assure a free and fair polling.

The Mission has pointed out what they term as short comings as well. No doubt when an activity takes place countrywide, everything is not always right. Important is to note that what is the ratio or percentage of the shortcomings in comparison to the work done. In case of Referendum in Uzbekistan, the shortcomings were not considerable while the measures taken for transparent polling were more than necessary. The measures were more than what European countries take themselves in their elections. But, as the chances of improvement are always here, we can take a view of the statement of the mission.

I visited Tashkent from 28 April to 02 May only to cover and observe the Referendum. I am editor of a national newspaper and international magazine in Islamabad Pakistan. I am continuously contributing articles on the politics in Central Asia including on the spot media coverage of the elections in previous years. I attended the press conferences of the related officials, especially the Chairman of Central Election Commission of Uzbekistan.
I visited many polling stations on the day of Referendum. I visited the head office of the Election Commission. I interviewed international and local media persons and observers to exchange the information and observation of the Referendum. Therefore, I am sure I am able to see the LROM’s statement and express my opinion that where the statement is right and where it needs to be reviewed.

CAPTION: Tazeen Akhtar checking the process at polling station Nizami University Tashkent

Objections & Facts:

LROM has pointed fingers at the powers of the President that is purely internal matter of the Republic. The mission writes that the President won the presidential election in 2021. Now if he has the mandate of the public, what wrong with his powers. A President in a Presidential form of government should not have powers? Then why it is a Presidential system? Only Uzbekistan has a powerful President?

Many reforms have been acknowledged as public and women friendly. Like women inclusion in the decision making process has been noted as 58 women out of 150 legislators in the parliament that is 32 % of total.

LROM has presented two different points here that are contradictory and confuse the reader rather give any insight, in a sense that on one side the report says women have more than enough representation in the parliament but on the other side less number of women in cabinet has been criticized that is totally internal matter of the parliament. Women number in Parliament is more than satisfactory.

Registration of political parties is conditional to have secured a certain number of supporters in shape of their signatures. It is fine to impose such conditions to keep the letter head parties with no public support or without large number of workers from the system. LROM needs to understand that if a party is registered on the application of few people, there will be dozens of parties creating no good but a chaos only.

LROM reports that “A Commission was formed for the reforms that collected proposals from citizens and organizations, published an initial draft for public discussion, revised the draft and submitted it to be considered by the Legislative Chamber. On 10 March 2023, the Legislative Chamber unequivocally approved the Draft Constitution and set the referendum date for 30 April. Following a review by the Constitutional Court, the decision was confirmed by the Senate on 14 March 2023. and published on 15 March. None of the parties or civil society organizations officially opposed the amendments and the referendum. The constitutional reform process was widely promoted as a significant enhancement of various rights and freedoms.”

CAPTION: Tazeen Akhtar at a polling station with the voter lists posted at the entrance

Here question rises, “then what is the base of your dissatisfaction on the referendum?” Because you are admitting that maximum was done to make the constitutional reforms public friendly with more rights and freedoms, the draft of the reforms was prepared and examined at different forums and above all it was widely circulated among the stakeholders including the political parties and the public before giving it a final shape and go to referendum. It clearly means that the state did everything that was necessary to keep the process inclusive, transparent, free and fair.

Public response to the referendum was extraordinary witnessed by the observers at different polling stations. I am one of the observers who had interacted with the voters, polling staff and the representatives of different political parties at the polling stations. This proves the referendum maximum transparent, participatory and monitored.

Transparency:

Other than the details shared by the Central Election Commission, Prosecutor General and other officials to the international media, I myself checked the situation at the spots that are polling stations.
*I witnessed complete voters list with names and other details posted on big boards outside of every polling station
*I witnessed manual and electronic both arrangements to counter check the ID of the voter
*I witnessed the 100% privacy provided to the voters to tick whatever their choice is – yes or no
*I witnessed no pressure or temptation to the voter
*I witnessed representatives of all political parties present at all polling stations (certainly to monitor the process). I asked them for any complaint or they have noticed any irregularity? They expressed their satisfaction on the polling process.

CAPTION: Tazeen Akhtar at polling station Maktab 110 Tashkent examining the process of confirming the ID of the voter electronically

Participation:

As the major part of the constitutional reforms consists of more rights and freedoms for the citizens, special initiatives for youth, empowerment of women and care for elderly people, I noted overwhelming participation of the citizens from all segments of society including the youth, women and senior citizens as well. This referendum was basically the outcome of years long home work to transform the state into a welfare state. Therefore the response from the public was not astonishing for the observers including myself.

Out of 19 Million 722 thousand 809 citizens registered to vote, 16 Million 673 Thousand 189 citizens received ballots and voted. This is 84,54 % of the total number of voters. 15. Million 40 Thousand 55 people or 90,21 % voted “in favour”, 1 Million 559 Thousand 200 people or 9,35 %voted “against”. The number of ballots declared invalid is 73, 934 pieces or 0,44 percent, according to official sources. The facts and figures do not tell a lie. It can be checked and rechecked in today’s electronic and digital world.

Monitoring:

It was highly, widely, intensely, institutionally and last but not the least internationally observed and monitored electoral activity in Uzbekistan. More than 1000 media representatives, including 192 representatives of 127 foreign media, total 383 international observers directly monitored the referendum.More than 44,000 local observers from political parties and citizens’ self-government bodies participated in direct observation.

14 reputable international organisations, notably the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (LROM, this article is in response of the report of the same org)the Association of World Election Bodies, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of Member Nations of the Commonwealth of Independent States (IPA CIS) and the CIS, the Organisation of Turkic Speaking Countries, the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, as well as 184 individuals from other international organisations and 199 international observers from 45 countries participated in this process.

These organizations have appreciated the arrangements and congratulated the people of the Republic on reaching a milestone in their journey towards the destination of a welfare state.

CAPTION: Tazeen Akhtar with representatives of political parties at a polling station questioning about their reservations if any

Conclusion:

This speaks a lot about how much importance was attached to the free and fair referendum by the authorities of Uzbekistan. As long as shortcomings are concerned, we find them in western countries as well. Basic elements to absorb are when you go into a nation wide activity, you face some shortcomings, you hear about some mistakes, some matters are not as you have earlier planned or arranged but central to focus is how many measures have been taken to make the activity maximum smooth, lawful, peaceful and satisfactory for all. Here it seems that LROM may have already made mind to criticize more than to appreciate. While Uzbekistan has taken special care of the  legitimacy of the Referendum and it should be appreciated. Link to LROM Report https://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/542547