On preparations to holding elections of chairmen (aksakals) of the citizens’ gatherings and

their advisers in Uzbekistan

In line with expiry of term of office of chairmen (aksakals) of the citizens’ gatherings and their advisers, as well as the Decree of Kengash of the Senate of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan of September 30, 2008 “On elections of chairmen (aksakals) of the citizens’ gatherings and their advisers” in Uzbekistan, in November and December this year the elections to the local bodies of citizens’ self-governance will take place.

On the outcomes of the last elections held in May-June 2006, 8843 chairmen (aksakals) of the citizens’ gathering and 84.300 their advisers were elected. This year it is scheduled to elect 9067 chairmen and over 85000 their advisers, including 7476 chairmen of makhalla (local neighborhood community area) committees, 1331 chairmen of citizens’ gatherings of villages and 160 chairmen of gatherings of settlements and auls.

At the moment, in the framework of preparations to the election all districts of Uzbekistan are hosting roundtables and seminars on deepening democratic reforms, establishing bases of powerful civil society, effectively organizing the activity of citizens’ self-governance bodies, raising legal awareness, social and political activeness of population in addressing social and economic issues at the local levels. Over 10 brochures, collections of acts of legislation, methodic manuals on elections to citizens’ self-governance bodies, activity of makhalla committees, and citizens’ gatherings were issued and prepared for mass circulation.

Forthcoming elections to the citizens’ gatherings that will be held strictly in line with laws adopted in Uzbekistan “On citizens’ self-governance bodies” and “On elections of chairman (aksakal) and his adviser” are an important step in further liberalizing social and political life, establishing conditions for active participation of citizens in deepening democratic processes in the country.

The elections differ from elections to other representational bodies. The Article 6 of the Law “On elections of chairman (aksakal) and his adviser” stipulates following: a chairman (aksakal) of the citizens’ gatherings and his adviser shall be elected for 2.5 year-term by gathering of citizens and in cases envisaged by law – by the gathering of citizens’ representatives. It means that in these elections the institute of representation shall be used. As Article 13 goes, the gathering of citizens’ representatives shall be convened and held in line with legislation. The representatives of homesteads, houses, streets, makhallas, micro-districts and residential areas who are elected on the decision of a general gathering of their residents shall be delegated to the gathering of citizens’ representatives. The respective coordination council of the district or city on citizens’ self-governance shall establish the norm of representation.

According to the articles 3 and 4 of this law, citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan who permanently reside on the relevant territory and reach the age of 18 by the day of elections regardless of sex, race and national background, language, religion, social origin, private and social status, education and profession shall have equal suffrage. Participation of citizens on the elections is voluntary and free. In line with Article 5, organization and holding of elections of chairman (aksakal) of citizens’ gathering and his advisers shall be held open and publicly.

The citizens shall be informed on the day, time and place of holding citizens’ gathering, on candidates to the post of a chairman (aksakal) and his advisers, as well as on the outcomes of elections. Mass media shall cover preparation and holding of elections.
In line with established norms of legislation, the bodies of state power and administration shall be obliged to assist to the citizens’ gatherings to organize and hold elections, if necessary, provide them with facilities, transportation and means of communication.

The election of a chairman of the citizens’ gathering and his advisers shall be carried out openly or by ballot. The decision on the form of voting shall be adopted by the citizens’ gathering by way of open voting. A candidate who gains over a half of votes of citizens present at the gathering of citizens shall be considered elected to the post of a chairman (aksakal) of the citizens’ gathering or his adviser. On the outcomes of elections of a chairman (aksakal) of the citizens’ gathering or his advisers a gathering of citizens adopts a decision that shall be read out by a chairman at the gathering of citizens.

The notion of “makhalla” in the conditions of current Uzbek society imbibes not only the venue for common local residence of citizens but also a unique, historically established and justified method of self-governance. Thus, for the first time in the Uzbek statehood this notion was introduced to the Constitution of the country; the role and status of makhalla in governing the public have been defined. Such attention to a makhalla is important in further strengthening a moral life, shaping in forthcoming generation a modern thinking. At the moment, makhalla as a unique body of people’s governance and as a real school of democracy has turned into an initial link of society. It accomplishes an educational function, instills a feeling of love for Homeland and best features of morality in people, especially the youth.

In a word, the upcoming elections will serve as yet another new step in further deepening the reforms on democratic renewal and modernization of the country, strengthening the role of citizens’ self-governance bodies in implementing the principle ‘From a powerful state to a powerful civil society’.

 

Information Agency “Jahon” based on national press