This is the preliminary conclusions of the OSCE/ODIHR International Election Observation Mission following the monitoring of the parliamentary elections in Uzbekistan from November 25 to December this year.

This is the preliminary conclusions of the OSCE/ODIHR International Election Observation Mission following the monitoring of the parliamentary elections in Uzbekistan from November 25 to December this year, published on December 23 on the organization’s official website.

In the statement of preliminary findings and conclusions, it is noted that the elections were conducted in the context of comprehensive reforms, initiated by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in 2017. The reform strategy, which is being implemented in stages, aims to transform Uzbekistan’s economic, social and political life. The elections, held under the slogan “New Uzbekistan – New Elections”, constituted an important milestone in what the president has termed an irreversible modernisation and democratisation process.

The Central Election Commission (CEC) made a great effort to prepare the parliamentary elections in an improved manner. Noteworthy changes included redistricting the constituencies to ensure equal suffrage, compiling a completely new countrywide voter register, adopting numerous resolutions to operationalise the Election Code, improving access for persons with disabilities, training thousands of polling officials and conducting an intensive voter information campaign.

The introduction of the new centralized voter register, the Single Electronic Voter List (SEVL), is evaluated as a significant achievement, which was designed to both lessen the possibility for multiple entries for the same person and to better ensure the universality of the vote.

For the first time since 1999, the ODIHR report notes the openness and transparency of elections. The election campaign was held under conditions characterized by the highest respect and authority. The media widely covered the election. Moreover, the OSCE praises what is evidence that civil and political circles openly come forward with political proposals and criticism of the authorities. The campaign took place in an environment characterized by increased assertion of and tolerance by the authorities for freedom of expression, though legal restrictions on this and other fundamental freedoms persisted.

An important novelty, as noted in the conclusions, is that frequent live debates took place. However, it was not until a late stage of the campaign that journalists in traditional media began to appraise party programmes. Bloggers are seen as the most important source of independent commentary, and their influence is increasing.

It is emphasized that in total, the DECs accredited a total of 70,000 party agents and members of the Mahalla committees, while the CEC accredited 820 international observers and 1,135 journalists, including 135 international journalists.

The OSCE document also lists a number of other positive transformations in the system of state and public administration, electoral practice.

At the same time, the report of the OSCE/ODIHR mission contains a number of recommendations aimed at improving electoral legislation and election practice.

It is noted that citizens aged 25 or older on election day who have resided permanently in the country for at least five years before election day, are eligible to stand as candidates. The application of a residency requirement for national elections is at odds with international standards. Those deprived of the right to vote by a court decision on “legal incapacitation” grounds or because of a conviction for a serious crime are also ineligible, contrary to international standards for universal suffrage. Self-nominated non-party candidates cannot contest the elections.

Women were well represented in the PECs observed by the ODIHR EOM. Gender equality was a marginal campaign topic and media attention focused almost exclusively on male candidates. Women are currently underrepresented in public and political life. Only 16 per cent of the ougoing legislative chamber and 17 per cent of the Senate members were women.

The ODIHR mission cites the words of the President of Uzbekistan at the plenary session of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis on June 22, 2019, noting that President Mirziyoyev openly criticized political parties for not nominating a higher number of women candidates.

The Mission thanked the Central Election Commission for their invitation to observe the elections, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their co-operation.