Chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Uzbekistan, Mr. Zayniddin Nizomxodjayev updated the international observers and foreign media about the latest postion of the state machinery posted and used for free and fair Referendum 2023 in the country that is meant to lay a foundation for a New Uzbekistan having improved system of governance and enhanced opportunities of upgrading the standard of lives of the people of Uzbekistan.
Other than the amendments in the constitution that will certainly transform it into new and fresh constitution, another considerable aspect of the referendum is the continuity of the policies shaped in the light of the new amendments to provide more better governance to the emerging economy of Central Asia.
This is first time in Uzbekistan that a fool proof Digitized system of polling the votes, monitoring the process and providing the security to all stations with security personnel and CCTV cameras has been provided taking on board the local telecome and IT companies. This system helps keep close eye on all polling stations at regional as well as the central monitoring cell. The authorities claim that no disruption is apprehended in internet connectivity. Here it is worth noting that internet disruption has been hot debate in USA and Pakistan as a trick to change the results in the past.
The people reached to polling stations in big number though it was Sunday the off day but majority of the public concieved the participation in the referendum as their national responsibility. The polling started 8-00 AM morning to continue 8-00 PM evening in 12 hours.
Chairman of the Central Election Commission held a well attended press conference at the start of the historic Sunday at the Central Press Central in Tashkent. He shared that
In accordance with the decisions of the Oliy Majlis the day of the referendum was set as April 30, 2023, and one question on the ballot was printed :
“Do you accept the Constitutional Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan?”
The voters are to tick in response boxes “Agree” or “Disagree”.
10,703 referendum polling stations in the country and 55 referendum holding grounds established at diplomatic and other representative offices in 39 foreign countries, including referendum precincts established in Eastern countries started working according to coinciding local time. The total number of voters is 19 Million 722 Thousand and 809 in the single electronic voter list. 307 Thousand 895 citizens were included in the list of voters in 55 referendum precincts created abroad.
Mr. Zayniddin Nizomxodjayev said, “Up to two referendum precincts located in all districts and cities of Uzbekistan will help monitor the polling continuously on the screens in the
Press Center of the Central Election Commission, on the official website of saylov.uz, as well as through “Uzbekistan 24″ and other TV channels of the National Television and Radio Company of Uzbekistan.”
Total 383 international observers, including 184 from 14 prestigious international organizations and 199 from 45 countries, are directly monitoring the referendum. More than 44,000 local observers from political parties and citizens’ self-government bodies are participating in direct observation. 964 representatives of accredited mass media, including 192 representatives from 127 foreign mass media, are directly monitoring and covering the referendum.
Tazeen Akhtar from Tashkent 
