Embassy of Uzbekistan holds Briefing for Pakistani Journalists on Early Presidential Election on 09 July 2023

ISLAMABAD: Embassy of Republic of Uzbekistan in Islamabad held a briefing for Pakistani journalists on early Presidential Election on 09 July 2023. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced that he will seek fresh mandate from the public after reforms in the constitution were incorporated receiving a majority confirmation in the countrywide referendum held on April 30 this year. The President is surrendering his 3 years remaining tenure to contest the election that is required after a new constitution has been adopted.

Ambassador Oybek Arif Usmanov arranged this briefing at a very symbolic day , the Day of Journalism in Republic of Uzbekistan. It is celebrated there on 26 June every year to highlight the importance of journalism for a democracy and express how much consideration the government of Uzbekistan attaches to the journalism in the country. The celebration and the briefing were held on 22 June 2023 in the same connection.

Most of the editors and journalists working on bilateral relations were invited to the Embassy. Managing Director of government news agency APP, representatives of all Pakistan working editors and managing editors were present. Mr. Usmanov welcomed and apprised them about the early Presidential Election in his country.

Dr Mehmood ul Hassan Khan gave an informative presentation to the participants with basic details and concept clearing notes about the recent political developments and changes in the country and their impacts on the government and governance system.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, on 08 May 2023, only after a week of Referendum 2023, announced that early presidential elections will be held in Uzbekistan at a meeting on the results of the referendum.

In accordance with the decree of the President of Uzbekistan, the early election of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan was scheduled for July 9, 2023.

“On the basis of Articles 110 and 128 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Article 66 of the Election Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan, schedule the election of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan for July 9, 2023. Send this decree to the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan,” the text of the document reads.

Referendum 2023 on amendments to the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan was held on April 30, and more than 90% of voters approved the changes. One of the amendments to the constitution is related to changes in state administration, according to which the term of office of the president will be increased from the current 5 years to 7 years.

As of June 2021, there are five political parties officially registered, Uzbekistan Liberal Democratic Party, Uzbekistan National Revival Democratic Party, Justice Social Democratic Party, People’s Democratic Party and the Ecological Party.

President Mirziyoyev has been nominated by Uzbekistan Liberal Democratic Party (OʻzLiDeP)and also supported by Uzbekistan National Revival Democratic Party (Milliy Tiklanish), which decided on May 13 to support Mirziyoyev rather than run its own candidate. The party’s head, Alisher Qodirov, in a speech argued in favor of standing behind Mirziyoyev, saying that “the current difficult times require us to unite,” and “we need to firmly rally around the incumbent president.”

Now four candidates are in the run in the Presidential Election. Last Presidential election was held in July 2021. The polling in the foreign missions of Uzbekistan has begun. The last and decisive phase in the country is now only a week away. The public is all set to elect a President who can implement the reforms in their true sense and true spirit.