DECEMBER 4 – THE ELECTIONS OF PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN.. 1
Voted for the Future of the Nation. 1
DECEMBER 8 – THE CONSTITUTION DAY OF THE REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN.. 6
High Awards of the Motherland. 6
Armed Forces Anniversary to Be Marked with Memorial Sign. 7
Locomotives to Get Faster and Effective. 8
DECEMBER 4 – THE ELECTIONS OF PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN
Voted for the Future of the Nation
When Chairman of Uzbekistan’s Central Election Commission Mirza-Ulugbek Abdusalomov announced the victory of Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the presidential elections at a briefing in Tashkent on December 5, the audience burst into prolonged applause.
The electoral season for the presidential ballot was launched on September 9, 2016, and the elections were appointed for December 4. Electoral districts and polling stations were organized in all regions of the country.
The Central Election Commission registered Sarvar Sadullaevich Otamuratov of Milliy Tiklanish Democratic Party of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev of the Movement of Entrepreneurs and Businesspeople – the Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan, Hatamjon Abdurahmonovich Ketmonov of the People’s Democratic Party of Uzbekistan, and Narimon Majitovich Umarov of Adolat Social Democratic Party as presidential candidates.
All nominees were provided with equal opportunities during the election campaign. For the election of the President of Uzbekistan, 9,383 polling stations were established, including 44 stations in representative offices of the republic in foreign countries. All the conditions were created to conduct the political event at a high organizational, legal and logistical level, in full compliance with the democratic principles enshrined in national electoral legislation, in the spirit of openness, transparency and fairness.
To make voting convenient for the people with disabilities, the polling stations were equipped with ramps, and one of the polling booths was adapted for them too. Specific ballots in Braille were prepared and published for the blind voters for the first time, as well as various brochures.
As a result of the measures taken, the presidential elections were held in Uzbekistan at a high level on December 4, in accordance with international requirements.
Preliminary Results Of Vote
The preliminary results of voting were announced at a briefing at the Republican Press Center for the Coverage of Election of the President of Uzbekistan.
The Chairman of the Central Election Commission Mirza-Ulugbek Abdusalomov reported that the presidential elections on December 4, 2016, were held in the spirit of openness and transparency, in full conformity with the national election legislation and universally recognized democratic principles and international law.
“Being well aware of the historic and political importance of the presidential election, the multinational people of Uzbekistan have once again demonstrated their sense of belonging to the fate of the homeland, civic position and political involvement, by taking an active part in the elections,” said Mirza-Ulugbek Abdusalomov.
17,951,667 voters, representing 87.73% of the total 20,461,805 enlisted citizens, gave their votes. Thus, the presidential elections were recognized valid in accordance with the Law ‘On elections of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan’.
The process of preparation and holding of presidential elections was observed by around 600 observers from 46 countries, including representatives of five international organizations – the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Association of World Election Bodies, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
Taking into account the readiness of Uzbekistan to hold transparent elections in accordance with international standards, the OSCE ODIHR delegated a full-scale observation mission to Uzbekistan for the first time.
The process of the voting and vote counting was also observed by more than 37,000 representatives of the four political parties that nominated their candidates. The election commissions created all the conditions for their activities.
The election campaign was vigorously covered by more than 1,400 representatives of domestic and foreign media.
The Central Election Commission received no appeals of violations of electoral law in the process of voting and vote counting from voters, observers of political parties, international and foreign observers.
As reported by the Chairman of the Central Election Commission, tallies began separately for each candidate after the completion of voting on December 4 at the polling stations in the presence of observers from political parties that nominated presidential candidates, international observers, representatives of mass media, and continued stopples until the very completion.
According to preliminary results of the elections of the President of Uzbekistan, 421,055 people or 2.35% of the total number voted for Sarvar Sadullaevich Otamuratov, 15,906,724 citizens or 88.61% voted for Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev, 669,187 people or 3.73% cast their ballot for Hatamjon Abdurahmonovich Ketmonov, and Narimon Majitovich Umarov received 619,972 votes, or 3.46%.
Thus, Shavkat Mirziyoyev won the presidential election on December 4, 2016.
As reported at the briefing, the Central Election Commission currently reviews protocols and other documents provided by district election commissions. If necessary, the Central Election Commission will once again carefully review the data of certain precinct election commissions, and then take a final decision on the election results.
A message of the Central Election Commission on the results of elections of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan will be published in press no later than ten days after the election, that is, until December 14, 2016.
Openly and transparently
Missions of international organizations that observed the preparation and conduct of elections of the President of Uzbekistan announced resolutions at final press conferences.
The head of the observer mission of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, SCO Secretary-General Rashid Alimov said that SCO observers had studied the course of the election campaign, the program of basic measures on preparation and conduct of elections. The mission was provided with complete information about the presidential candidates and their electoral programs.
As noted at the statement of the mission, the presidential candidates were provided with equal conditions for the use of mass media. No cases of law infringement were observed during the election campaign.
In order to impartially assess the voting and vote counting, the mission studied the performance of precinct election commissions. In the course of the work, the delegates visited 235 polling stations in 13 electoral districts. Along with that, the mission held meetings with the heads of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Central Election Commission, members of election commissions at different levels, voters, domestic observers, representatives of political parties, the media, observers from foreign states and international organizations.
In the statement, the SCO observer mission highly commended the reforms on improvement and liberalization of the electoral legislation of recent years.
They emphasized that the handouts on the pre-election campaign of candidates were published and disseminated in Uzbek, Karakalpak, Kazakh, Russian and Tajik languages.
The observation mission came to the resolution that the elections of the President of Uzbekistan were held in full compliance with the electoral law, regulations of the Central Election Commission and Uzbekistan’s international commitments, in the spirit of openness and democracy.
No cases contradicting the norms of the national electoral legislation were registered.
* * *
Head of the observer mission from the Commonwealth of Independent States, Chairman of the CIS Executive Committee – CIS Executive Secretary Sergei Lebedev said at a press conference that the amendments in the national electoral legislation Uzbekistan has made in recent years, have streamlined the electoral system of Uzbekistan.
* * *
“We were provided with all the conditions to freely observe the electoral process,” noted Sergei Lebedev. “We met with representatives of election commissions, law enforcement officers, citizens, observers from political parties. We visited all regions of Uzbekistan, observed the progress in the field, the voting process. We made sure that the elections were organized at a high level. Exchanging views with observers from political parties and international experts, we came to the common conclusion: the elections were held openly and publicly.”
High activity of both the older generation and young people made a big impression on CIS observers. The names of more than 550,000 young men and women, who voted for the first time, were highlighted in the lists of voters. Early voting and voting of the persons who were unable to come to polling stations, was organized at a high level.
* * *
The head of the observer mission from the Association of World Election Bodies, the Secretary-General Kim Yong-Hi told at a press conference that the mission visited polling stations in Tashkent and Bukhara on the election day, observed the voting process and the vote counting. They stated that the elections were held at the highest organizational level, voters were active, and the vote counting process was open and public.
“During observations, we did not counter any cases of violations of the electoral legislation,” said Kim Yong-Hi. “Polling stations provided all the conditions for voting, the commission members demonstrated a high level of preparedness. High electoral activity suggests that the population is interested in the implementation of their right to vote for the future of the country, which proves that the Central Election Commission organized all stages of the election campaign on a high level.”
* * *
In a statement, the Head of observer mission of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, Johan Peter Traugott Tejler, pointed out to the high voter turnout, transparency and publicity of the electoral process. The mission began its work on November 2, long-term observers arrived in Uzbekistan, and 150 more experts arrived a few days ago. They comprehensively observed the entire process of the election campaign. The efficient operation of the observers was ensured by full availability of information in all electoral bodies, state authorities and administration, and transparency of all cycles of the electoral process.
Central Election Commission, district and precinct election commissions have done an effective pre-election work, all the activities met the deadline, as stipulated by the law. The observers positively assessed the reduction of the required number of signatures in support of presidential candidates from 5% to 1% of the total number of voters, as well as the performance of election commissions in ensuring openness and transparency.
The mission announced some recommendations to further improve the electoral legislation.
“At our meetings with the Uzbek authorities, we could see the will to work on all the issues, so ODIHR stands ready to support the elected President in this endeavor, and continue cooperating with Uzbekistan,” said Peter Theiler.
* * *
The mission of observers from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation highly commended the organization and conduct of elections of the President of Uzbekistan. The elections were transparent in conditions of peace and stability, said the head of the OIC mission, the Director of the Department of Political Affairs Ali Abolhassani Shahreza at a briefing at the National Press Center on the Coverage of the Eelections.
The OIC mission of nine experts arrived in Uzbekistan on December 1 at the invitation of the Central Election Commission.
‘The elections were held openly and democratically,” said Ali Abolhassani Shahreza. “We could see the people voting freely, without any coercion. Introduction of amendments to the electoral legislation in accordance with democratic standards, the adoption of an integrated program of measures to further raise the legal culture of voters, and decent conditions for all categories of citizens have contributed to the high turnout.”
The Head of the OIC observer mission noted that the mission observed the voting and the vote counting process, and did not record any violations. Uzbekistan has accumulated extensive experience in the conduct of democratic elections. The Central Election Commission provided overall support to the mission in observing the elections.
During the briefing, the head of the OIC observer mission expressed interest in the further development of relations with Uzbekistan, active implementation of promising projects in the field of economy and education, in addressing peace building tasks.
Political parties: events and briefings
An event on preliminary results of the elections of the President in Uzbekistan was organized by the Movement of Entrepreneurs and Businesspeople – the Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan on December 5 in Tashkent.
It brought together UzLiDeP activists, entrepreneurs and businessmen, employees of various sectors, culture and art figures, and representatives of the general public.
The participants connected online to the briefing on preliminary results of the voting in the Republican Press Center for Coverage of Election.
The message that Shavkat Mirziyoyev received nearly 16 million votes, that is, his candidacy was supported by 88.61% of voters, caused thunderous applause.
Shavkat Mirziyoyev delivered a speech. He expressed his gratitude to the people of Uzbekistan for their high confidence in him. He pointed out to tremendous changes in all spheres of life in our country, which have been powered by the First President Islam Karimov over the past 25 years. He mentioned the introduction of market economy principles, reinforcement of sovereignty foundations, formation of a democratic state of law and a strong civil society. The further consistent continuation of this large-scale operation is the key objective of the entire nation, for ensuring a bright future for the motherland, and well-being of the people, is the major idea of our independence.
Shavkat Mirziyoyev expressed his sincere gratitude to the representatives of five international organizations, who observed the preparation and conduct of presidential elections – the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Association of World Election Bodies, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, as well as 600 observers from 46 countries.
In the elections, the people of Uzbekistan voted for stability, peace and tranquility in our country. Each voter voted for happiness and bright future for his family and children.
Most importantly, our people have successfully overcome this very important and responsible trial in the eyes of the international community.”
The videoconference event was attended by thousands of our compatriots of Karakalpakstan, regions and Tashkent city.
* * *
At the DPU Milliy Tiklanish briefing, the presidential candidate Sarvar Otamuratov noted that the electoral process has demonstrated the intensified activity of political parties, as well as the legal culture of citizens.
The party observers monitored the voting process at 9,339 polling stations. They unanimously confirmed that all the conditions were created in the polling stations, vote counting and tabulation was carried out in accordance with the requirements of the legislation.
At the end of his speech, Sarvar Otamuratov admitted the victory of the UzLiDeP candidate Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev at the presidential elections. He congratulated him on his election as the head of state, and wished every success on this high post.
* * *
Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party of Uzbekistan Hatamjon Ketmonov told at a briefing in Tashkent about meetings with 45,000 voters in 14 constituencies. The trustees of the candidate held about 200 meetings in the field with 39,000 citizens.
Over 9,300 observers from the party observed voting and vote counting processes, revealing no violations of the law.
As a supporter of the ideas of the PDPU, Hatamjon Ketmonov emphasized the need to mobilize all the forces of the party organizations and parliamentary associations at all levels in the implementation of the tasks defined in the pre-election platform of the party.
* * *
SDPU Adolat also held a briefing. The presidential candidate of the party Nariman Umarov said that, despite the fact that the preliminary results of the elections are not satisfactory for the party, they generally have strengthened its position in the country’s political arena, and enriched the experience in terms of the interests of the electorate.
The head of the party pledged to continue fulfilling the promises he had given to the voters, implement the goals and objectives of his electoral program. To this end, the party has mobilized all the forces and capacity of the deputy corps in the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis and local representative bodies.
Media Monitoring
The Central Election Commission presented the results of monitoring of the pre-election campaign of presidential candidates to the media, as conducted by the Ministry for Development of Information Technologies and Communications on October 28 – December 2, 2016.
The monitoring covered 79 print and broadcasting media, public and private, national and regional. The Republican Press Center for Coverage of Elections additionally daily monitored the publications on the election campaign in 20 national and 15 foreign websites.
Monitoring experts provided an unbiased and independent assessment of the media performance in presidency candidate campaigning, on compliance with the electoral legislation and regulations on election campaigning.
Within five weeks of campaigning, the presidential candidates and their trustees effectively used the capacity of the media. Candidates broadly reported on their programs, their position toward socio-economic and socio-political development of the country. The media clearly respected the principles of equality for all candidates in news, information and other programs. They ensured a balanced coverage of major activities of candidates, which are not related to the election campaign.
Active employment of modern types of the media and social networks by the candidates considerably expanded the scope of campaigning. In order to raise voter awareness of election programs, the candidates posted the campaign stuff also on a paid basis, while the media established equal conditions and tariffs for all.
Election programs and campaign materials were covered in five languages - Karakalpak, Russian, Kazakh, Tajik and Uzbek. News casts and pre-election campaigning in the media were accompanied by sign language.
At the same time, as provided by the law, the candidates took an advantage of balanced and neutral coverage as faction head, and as acting head of state.
No facts of use of administrative resources were identified during the monitoring.
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)
DECEMBER 8 – THE CONSTITUTION DAY OF THE REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN
High Awards of the Motherland
With his decrees, the First President of our country Islam Karimov, in connection with the 25th anniversary of independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan, had awarded a group of our compatriots, who made a great contribution to the development of the country, displayed selfless dedication to the consolidation of peace and harmony, achieved successes in the socio-economic, scientific-technical and spiritual-enlightenment spheres of the life of society, with high awards of the nation: honorary titles, orders and medals.
A gala presentation of high government awards was held at the “Uzbekistan” Palace of International Forums on the 7th of December.
“I am very happy to meet with you today, my dear ones, in this holiday and elated mood,” said President-Elect of the country Shavkat Mirziyoyev. “Let me from the bottom of my heart to express you my deep respects.
“As you all know, many good traditions have emerged in our country during the years of independence.
“Our today’s meeting is a continuation of those traditions. Such wonderful events, as you all are well aware about, had started to be conducted at the initiative of the First President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov.
“A big group of our compatriots won the high government awards on the eve of the 25th anniversary of our country’s independence.
“It is an honor for me to present these awards to you today, dear compatriots.
“Today we are building up a free and just civil society. We deem it to be our main task in this process, in the first place, to display respect and to adequately assess our compatriots’ honest work.
“It has to be recognized in this connection that 29,170 of our compatriots have been presented the high awards of the Motherland during the years of independence.
“The thing is not in the number of awards, of course. These awards are significant, first and foremost, because they are an adequate recognition of tremendous contribution of thousands of our compatriots to prosperity of our Motherland.
“We all feel encouraged by the fact that among those respected people are representatives of all nations and nationalities living in Uzbekistan,” stressed Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
“On this joyous day we say ‘thank you’ to our skillful dehkans and farmers, industrial workers, builders, and courageous servicemen, who stand on guard of our peace.
“We wholeheartedly congratulate those who were awarded the highest title of our Motherland – Hero of Uzbekistan – teacher Muhabbat Sharapova, railway construction worker Erkin Ummatov, farmer Sharipboi Rajabov and prominent doctor Ravshanbek Qurbonov.
“We congratulate Chairperson of the National Olympic Committee Mirabror Usmonov with the high award.
“We express our best wishes to respected professor of the Samarkand State University Muslikhiddin Muhiddinov, who devoted his life to the study of creative heritage of the great Alisher Navoi.
“We mention with respect the names of well-known poets Enakhon Siddiqova, Guliston Annaqlicheva, prominent actors Erkin Komilov, Gavhar Zokirova, activists of the Russian cultural center of Uzbekistan Yelena Shaverdova, as well as Stanislav Yugai, Gulbahor Aymuratova and our other compatriots.
“At this joyful moment I consider it appropriate to once again thank Fazliddin Ghoibnazarov, Ruslan Nurudinov, Shahram Ghiyosov, Hasanboi Dusmatov, Shahobidin Zoirov, Bektemir Meliqoziyev, Murodjon Ahmadaliyev, Elmurat Tasmuradov and our other valiant sons, who raised high the flag of our homeland at the last Olympic Games in Brazil.
“We all wish them one thing: you never get tired in the achievement of such high victories, and we never get tired presenting you the awards of the Motherland.”
Shavkat Mirziyoyev solemnly presented the state awards.
Hero of Uzbekistan Muhabbat Sharipova, holder of the Order “Fidokorona Khizmatlari Uchun” Erkin Komilov, People’s poet of Uzbekistan Enakhon Siddiqova, holder of the Order “Fidokorona Khizmatlari Uchun” Guliston Annaqilicheva, Hasanboi Dusmatov, who merited the honorary title “Uzbekiston Iftikhori”, holder of the Order “Dostlik” Yelena Shaverdova and other speakers noted that the high government awards instill in them still more strength and energy, inspire to the achievement of new objectives in the name of development of the Motherland, and expressed their sincere gratitude for the high attention and care displayed by our state.
***
The Uzbek National Academic Drama Theater hosted an event devoted to presenting high state awards to a group of our compatriots working in the spheres of science, education, healthcare, literature, culture, art, spirituality and enlightenment, mass media and social sphere.
It was noted that Uzbekistan attach great attention to raising the spirituality of the population, ensuring the continuity of national traditions, bringing up the younger generation in the spirit of love for the Motherland, and respectful attitude to national values.
Our people once again demonstrated their solidarity in a united effort on the road to great goals and the ability to achieve great results on the 4th of December, the day of presidential elections in Uzbekistan.
“The state paid major attention to the theatrical art during the years of independence. New theaters have been organized, the art institutions have been reconstructed, and the actors’ labor has been properly assessed,” said the People’s Artist of Uzbekistan, actress of the Uzbek National Academic Drama Theater Zuhra Ashurova. “In response to displayed care and attention our actors deem it their duty to create artistic work in the modern spirit.”
“This year our boxers won several medals of different denominations at the Olympic Games in Rio-de-Janeiro, thus outstripping athletes from Cuba, USA, Great Britain, and Russia and won the first place,” said the coach of the national boxing team Rahmatjon Ruziokhunov. “Today, while receiving the high government award, I would like to assure that in four years’ time the Uzbekistani sportsmen will again demonstrate their strength and will win the Olympics in Tokyo.”
The awards were presented by the State Advisor to the President of Uzbekistan Kh.Sultonov and Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic A.Aripov.
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)
officially
Armed Forces Anniversary to Be Marked with Memorial Sign
In commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Uzbekistan and to encourage the military service people, veterans and staff of the armed forces who have made a worthy contribution to strengthening the national defense and building the national army, a memorial sign “Uzbekiston Respublikasi Qurolli Kuchlariga 25 yil” (25 Years to the Armed Forces of the Republic of Uzbekistan) has been established by a presidential decree.
The commemorative badge is awarded to individuals who have made a significant contribution to the consolidation of the defense power of the state and development of the armed forces, military personnel who have demonstrated professional excellence, loyalty to military and patriotic duty, including laid-off in the reserve or retired, who participated in combat for the protection of the independence and territorial integrity of Uzbekistan, as well as the fallen and wounded and maimed during the performance of military and service duties.
The plaque “Uzbekiston Respublikasi Qurolli Kuchlariga 25 yil” is presented in a solemn ceremony on behalf of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan – the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Uzbekistan by the officials from formation commander and above.
The memorable sign is worn on the left side of the chest beside state awards.
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)
transport
Locomotives to Get Faster and Effective
Uzbekistan Railways company continues implementation of project on the electrification of the Karshi-Termez section.
“The works have been launched in Karshi, and 52 km of the railway to Tashguzar have been electrified in short time. The project employs the most advanced equipment and more than a hundred of professionals. Electrification works are currently carried out on the 62nd kilometer of the Tashguzar-Dehkanabad section. As envisaged by the project, six substations will be built toward Termez,” commented the press-service of the company.
It is worth noting that, in process of electrification of domestic railways, local businesses have localized the production of main components at domestic facilities, which has significantly reduced the project cost. The total project cost is estimated at more than $400 million.
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)
Reference to the source is a must in reproducing materials