Uzbekistan holds Presidential Election in Smooth Manner with High Turnout & No Complaint of Code Violation -by – Tazeen Akhtar

The Uzbekistan nation polled their votes for the election of the president on 24 october 2021 with remarkable participation in the election process. The process was smooth with no untoward incident anywhere in the capital Tashkent and in other parts of the country.

Large number of voters came out of their homes to cast their votes freely. It was a national holiday to facilitate the public to use their right of vote. People from all walks of life participated with full national ferver. This included women, youth and elderly people as well.

The government of Uzbekistan attaches great importance for the well being of women and youth. This scribe visited 3 polling stations in the capital city and witnessed a large number of women and youth coming to polling stations.

5 Parties were in the running for the president. They included  Ecological party of Uzbekistan with Candidate Mr. Narzullo Naimovich Oblomurodov, People’s democratic party with Candidate Ms Maksuda Azizovna Vorisova, Movement of entrepreneurs and business people – Liberal- democratic party with Candidate Mr Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev, National Revival democratic party with Candidate Mr Alisher Keldievich Kadirov and  “Adolat” social democratic party with Candidate Mr. Bahrom Abdurahimovich Abduhalimov.

Total number of voters in the territory of Uzbekistan is 19,859,127. The number of votes polled till 5 PM was registered at 14,258,780. This makes 71.8 % that is high rate of participation. This rate of polling can go more high as the time of polling was till 08 PM and the people were still casting votes. 

The turnout is seen as satisfactory in a sense that the nation has confidence in the electoral process.

We visited the polling stations when the polling was in full swing. The polling stations of Maktab -10,  number 105,Tashkent Moliya Institue – number 517, and the polling station at banking association , number 376 were observed and monitored by us from 11 to 01 AM. We observed at all 3 polling stations that the people of all ages including men and women were enthusiastically pouring in .

Voters lists were posted at the entrance of the polling stations where everyone can see his/her vote. Then there were counters to register the voters with their identity. Voters were given a ballot paper on which they found the details of every candidate in brief and simple manner to understand easily. Next were the polling booths where the voters can tick their favorite candidate without being watched or seen.

The Election Commission personnel was alert at every polling station to guide and facilitate the voters. Very important thing to note was , the whole process was not bothersome for any voter. Voters were entering the polling station and leaving within 5 to 10 minute time. No one was seen with any difficulty of waiting for the turn or finding any problem in locating and clearing his/her vote number.

We found that the polling agents of all parties including the opposition parties were present at all polling stations with chairs and tables and their party identity visible for the voters. They were there to help the voters of their respective parties.

We asked the polling agents of opposition parties about how the process is going on and if they feel any problem with their voters ? They expressed their satisfaction on the process and launched no complaint about discrimination of harassment whatsoever.

1200 call centers were set up to receive the complaints if any in the country. Any one could send complaint through telegram free service as well that is the most popular app in Uzbekistan.

COVID-19 patients even were provided facilities to participate in the election of their next leadership. Special mobile ballot boxes were moved around their wards to get their votes polled. This facility was provided in 25 specialized COVID-19 hospitals.

Other patients were also included in election process. 120 polling stations were established in the hospitals. Medical Aid arrangements were also available in case of any untoward incident during the process.Overall number of polling stations in the country was more than 10 thousand.

54 Embassies of Uzbekistan worldwide arranged polling for overseas Uzbek citizens.