Due to expiration of terms of office of chairpersons of citizens’ assemblies and their advisers in May-June this year, in accordance with Article 105 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, article 23 of the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On citizens’ self-government bodies”, articles 8,10, and 11 of the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On elections of a chairperson (aksakal) of citizens’ assemblies and his/her advisers” preparations for conducting the next elections to citizens’ self-government bodies are taking place in our country. This year 9764 chairpersons of citizens’ assemblies and over 99 thousand advisers are expected to be elected.

The issues of preparation and holding elections of chairpersons of citizens’ assemblies and their advisers were discussed at the session of the Council of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, which took place on 5 March.

It was noted that during the years of independence the country has gradually implemented extensive organizational and legal measures to establish the necessary conditions so that mahalla institution served as a reliable support and efficient force in the development of civil society. As a result, this unique institution, being effective and at the same time a national form of social life, has become a practical manifestation of the principle "From a strong state to a strong civil society", implemented in our country, and a strong bridge between the general public with state authorities.

It was underlined at the meeting that for the past period the elections for chairpersons of citizens’ assemblies and their advisers became the school for improving legal awareness and politico-legal culture of citizens, demand in solving local issues.

The upcoming 2016 elections of chairpersons of citizens’ assemblies and their advisers will be held in line with the requirements of the above-mentioned laws, qualitatively mew socio-economic and socio-political circumstances, characterized by deepening processes of reforms and democratization of society, modernization of the country.

As was noted during by the members of the Council of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan during the discussions, the most important requirements and target goals of preparing and holding elections are ensuring organizational and legal conditions for full realization of constitutional rights of citizens on wide participation in the process of forming citizens’ assemblies, unconditional and strict compliance by all participants of the elections to citizens’ self-government bodies with the requirements of existing legislation, a comprehensive introductions of citizens with the candidates for positions of chairpersons of citizens’ assemblies and their advisers, their business and ethical qualities. It is required to carry out effective information and analytical work on wide coverage of preparatory arrangements and holding elections to the citizens’ self-government bodies on the basis of principles of transparency, alternative and equal suffrage as the most important factor of deepening democratic reforms and formation of strong civil society, as well as on creating all necessary conditions for active involvement in election processes of the youth and women, raising their social-economic activity and legal culture.

Following the discussions and taking into account the experience of previous elections and the requirements of the legislation, the Council of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan has adopted a Resolution “On preparation and holding elections of the chairpersons (aksakals) of citizens’ assemblies and their advisers”, in which the periods of holding elections are determined for May-June 2016, approved the Action Plan on organizing and holding elections of chairpersons (aksakals) of citizens’ assemblies and their advisers, samples of election bulletins.

Also the Council established the Commission of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan on organizing and holding chairpersons (aksakals) of citizens’ assemblies and their advisers, approved its members. The Commission includes representatives of both chambers of the Parliament, charity public fund “Mahalla”, Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Council of the Federation of trade union of Uzbekistan, Kamolot youth public movement, Independent institute on monitoring formation of civil society, National TV and radio company, National news agency, Republican centre for spirituality and other ministries and agencies.

Press Service
Senate of the Oliy Majlis
of the Republic of Uzbekistan