ISLAMABAD, Jul 27 (APP): The elections for the ‘Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis’ of the Republic of Uzbekistan will be held on October 27 to follow new political reforms in the electoral system, on the completion of the termsof the Oliy Majlis and the Councils of People’s Deputies this year. The election campaign was started on July 26th, as decided by the Central Election Commission, said a press release issued here on Saturday.
The Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan held a meeting and a series of events on July 26 and the primary agenda item was the preparation and high-level accomplishment of the upcoming elections for the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis and the Councils of People’s Deputies in full compliance with the Constitution and laws.
According to Article 128 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the elections for the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis and the Councils of People’s Deputies are scheduled to take place on the first Sunday of the third ten-day period of October in the year their term expires.
These elections mark a significant departure from the past, taking place in a new socio-political environment as stipulated by our Constitution.
The meeting underscored the unique features of these elections and for the first time in Uzbekistan’s history, the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis elections was conducted using a mixed electoral system, combining majoritarian and proportional systems.
This significant change will see seventy-five deputies elected directly through the majoritarian system, where
voters vote for specific candidates.
One of the most significant advancements is the full digitization of election commissions’ activities at all levels and their interactions with participants in the election process.
This development significantly reduces bureaucracy, time, and document handling in election procedures, ushering in a new era of efficiency in our electoral system.
The election legislation has been fundamentally improved to align with advanced democratic standards and these improvements include introducing a new system for election bodies led by the Central Election Commission and requiring political parties to ensure that at least 40 percent of their additional candidates for deputy positions are women.
The elections are taking place in conditions of significantly strengthened parliamentarianism and the powers of representative bodies at the local level, as established by the Updated Constitution. Specifically, the absolute powers of the Legislative Chamber have increased from 5 to 12, and those of the Senate from 12 to 18.
The parliament’s oversight functions over the activities of executive, judicial, law enforcement agencies, and special services have been expanded.
According to a statement issued, to participate in the elections, political parties must have been registered by the Ministry of Justice at least four months before the announcement of the election campaign and collect at least 40,000 signatures supporting their participation.
Additionally, the meeting approved a calendar plan to ensure that the activities related to conducting the elections are carried out step-by-step within the timelines specified by election legislation.
The Central Election Commission, as an impartial and independent constitutional body, will take all necessary measures to prepare for and conduct the upcoming elections in full compliance with national legislation and international election standards, ensuring the process is open and transparent.
A Press Center has also been established under the Central Election Commission.
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