Tashkent/ Islamabad: The international observer missions of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) have appreciated the high level of interest of citizens of Uzbekistan in the political life of their country.
The missions have admired the innovations and reforms that strengthened the democratic processes in the state. They termed the Election 27 Oct for Oliy Majlis, District and Local Councils as per international standards.
The observers expressed these views in a press conference held in Tashkent couple of days after the election. Azay Guliyev, Special Coordinator and Head of the OSCE short-term observers, Sargis Khandanyan, Head of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly delegation, and Douglas Wake, Head of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) election observation mission shared their impressions of the monitoring.
The observers noted at the meeting with journalists, Uzbekistan held parliamentary elections on October 27, which became a landmark event against the backdrop of large-scale reforms implemented in the country. These elections demonstrated significant changes in the electoral system and strengthening of democratic processes.
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Azay Guliyev, special co-ordinator and leader of the OSCE short-term observers, “These elections were held under a new mixed electoral system, reflecting significant constitutional amendments and a revised Electoral Code as part of Uzbekistan’s ongoing reform efforts.”
The observers admitted that all five registered political parties were able to campaign freely and with legally enforced equal conditions.
Sargis Khandanyan, head of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly delegation said,“At the same time, the increased gender quota for parliamentary candidates marks a positive development. We are hopeful that this will further boost women’s participation in public and political life in line with OSCE commitments.”
Election preparations at all levels were administered efficiently, and the Central Election Commission held regular live-streamed sessions and swiftly published its decisions, contributing to transparency.
One of the most notable innovations was the expansion of women’s representation in parliament.
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The gender quota for candidates was increased from 30% to 40%, allowing women to occupy 47 of the 150 seats in the Legislative Chamber. This fact emphasizes the growing contribution of women to the political life of Uzbekistan.Furthermore, the speaker of the Senate, one of seven deputy speakers of the Legislative Chamber, and one of four deputy prime ministers are women.
The observers also emphasized that the Central Election Commission (CEC) demonstrated a high level of reliability in preparing for the elections. Transparency of the electoral process was ensured by regular broadcasts and timely decision-making.
Approximately 20 million voters were registered and the management of electoral processes was made accessible for public scrutiny. Legislative reforms in 2023 removed restrictions on voting rights for certain groups, demonstrating the country’s commitment to international standards.
The CEC also paid attention to inclusion, holding consultations to increase the participation of people with disabilities. Materials were available in Braille and translated into sign language during debates. Ballots were printed in Uzbek and local languages, facilitating accessibility of the electoral process for all groups.
Election day was calm and organized, with a voter turnout of 74.7%.
This indicates a high level of interest of citizens in the political life of their country. The 2024 parliamentary elections were an important step forward in strengthening democratic processes and improving women’s representation in politics. These reforms reflect the desire for a more open and inclusive political system, which is key to further development of Uzbekistan.
Douglas Wake, head of the election observation mission from the OSCE ODIHR noted ,“Uzbekistan’s authorities have addressed some prior ODIHR recommendations through recent legislative changes. ODIHR looks forward to further co-operation with Uzbekistan’s authorities, including on the recommendations that will come in our final report.”
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