Parliamentary elections of Uzbekistan: preparations are under way

The Press Center of the Central Election Commission (CEC) of the Republic of Uzbekistan held a press conference for local and foreign journalists on 20 October.

Chairman of the CEC M.Abdusalomov briefed journalists on the course of preparations for elections to the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, which will take place in December 2009.

Elections campaign to the Parliament of Uzbekistan and representative organs of state bodies started on 22 September this year.

The CEC Chairman reported that in accordance with Article 7 of the Law “On elections to the Oliy Majlis”, the elections for the Legislative Chamber of Parliament shall be held by one hundred and thirty-five geographical constituencies.

The CEC considered the proposals of public authorities in the field and agreed on the formation of constituencies for the elections to the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis. List of constituencies, including their names, serial numbers, boundaries and the number of voters published in the press.

The CEC Chairman told reporters that at its meeting on 16 October in accordance with Article 11 of the Law “On elections to the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan” the CEC agreed on the formation of district electoral commissions on elections of deputies of Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis.

It was noted that under Article 12 of the Act the district election commission formed by the CEC consists of chairman, deputy chairman, secretary and at least six other members of the commission. In approving the personal staff of district election commissions of the CEC, special attention was drawn to the fact that, in accordance with Article 16 of the law, the district commissions includes respected members of the public. Lists of members of district commissions, indicating addresses and telephone numbers of committees are published in the press.

For members of the newly formed election commission CEC organized a series of seminars and training sessions on the fundamentals of the electoral law.

It was also noted that under Article 21 of the Law “On elections to the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan” for the nomination of candidates, each of the four of the country’s operating political parties needed to submit to the CEC necessary documents for the nomination of candidates – declaration of participation in elections, certificate of the Ministry of Justice that the political parties registered no later than four months prior to the announcement of the beginning of the campaign, and the subscription lists of voters in support of its participation in the elections for the lower house of parliament.

In accordance with Article 231 of the Law “On elections to the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan” working group was formed in CEC to verify the compilation of subscription lists submitted by political parties. Authorized representatives of political parties attended during the consideration of the subscription lists. This is – a new institution introduced by the national electoral law, which aims to ensure even greater transparency and democratic electoral process.

The CEC Chairman said that the results of examination of materials by the political parties indicate that the collection of voter signatures was conducted in full accordance with the requirements of electoral law.

In this regard, the CEC adopted a resolution on admission to participate in the elections for the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis of the People’s Democratic Party of Uzbekistan, Social-Democratic Party of Uzbekistan Adolat, the Movement of Entrepreneurs and Businessmen – Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan and the Democratic Party of Uzbekistan “Milliy Tiklanish” at a meeting October 17 and 18.

It was noted the decision of the Environmental Movement of Uzbekistan to participate in elections to the Legislative Chamber of Parliament.
 

“Jahon” Information Agency