Hajj pilgrims to vote ahead of schedule at presidential elections

November 26, 2007

In 2007, Hajj pilgrimage coincided for Uzbek citizens with the final stage of the presidential elections. About 5,000 citizens of Uzbekistan will go to Hajj.

The law allows them to use their voting right and cast their votes ahead of the schedule.

Article 31 of the Law on election of the President of Uzbekistan states that voters who are unable to be present at the place of their residence on the election day may request a voting paper from the district election commission and leave it filled and sealed in an envelope there.

At its 16 November meeting, the Central Election Commission of Uzbekistan passed a resolution on organization of voting for citizens making Hajj pilgrimage.

The resolution states, in particular, that district election commissions should organize pre-schedule voting for the pilgrims at their place of residence. All citizens going to Hajj will be provided with voting papers in the order established by the law.