Uzbekistan is preparing for an important political event. On April 30, a referendum on the draft Constitutional law will be held. The institution of observers plays an important role in conducting this political process based on the principles of openness, publicity and transparency.

UzA Correspondent interviewed a permanent member of the Central Election Commission, Gulnoza Rakhimova, about the participation of international observers in the preparation and conduction of the referendum.

– Who, by the requirements of national legislation, has the right to take part in observing the referendum as an observer? What is the procedure for inviting international observers?

– Observers from political parties, civil society institutions and initiative groups of citizens, media representatives, observers from other states and international organizations have the right to be present at all events for the preparation and conduction of the referendum, as well as at places of voting on the day of the referendum and during the counting of votes. This is determined by the Law “On the referendum of the Republic of Uzbekistan”. At the same time, the Regulations on observers from foreign countries and international organizations participating in the referendum of the Republic of Uzbekistan approved on July 13, 2022, by the Central Election Commission determined the procedure for their activities.

The invitation to the referendum of international observers complies with the rules of the electoral process. That is, after the announcement of the decision to call a referendum, the CEC, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, sends invitations to the electoral bodies of foreign countries and international organizations. At the same time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on its initiative or at the suggestion of state authorities, ministries, agencies, research institutes, other organizations and institutions, may invite foreign (international) observers to the referendum.

Foreign states and international organizations, if they wish to participate in the referendum through their observers, can apply to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Foreign states, international organizations shall submit relevant documents at least ten days before the referendum.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs submits documents of observers from foreign states and international organizations to the CEC in the form of an annex. The CEC decides on the accreditation of foreign (international) observers within five days. The list of accredited international observers is published on the official website of the CEC.

Representatives of the OSCE/ODIHR limited referendum observation mission have been accredited and have started working. The mission will assess the compliance of the referendum with OSCE commitments, other international standards for democratic elections, and national legislation. At the same time, the mission will offer recommendations for improving the conduction of the referendum.

– What are observers' rights?

– Our legislation defines the rights of participation of the institute of observers in this important political process. Observers have the right to be present at meetings of district and precinct referendum commissions, to observe the progress of preparatory work, the placement of booths or rooms for secret voting and the sealing of ballot boxes, the registration of citizens, the issuance of ballot papers to them.

Observers may also be present during the counting of votes after the voting, drawing up the protocol of the precinct commission for holding a referendum on the results of the voting. Request and receive copies of protocols of voting results certified by the relevant referendum commission. Report their observations to a higher referendum commission if there is reason to believe that violations of the law were committed at the referendum.

– What is forbidden to observers?

– The legislation defines prohibitions for observers. In particular, they are prohibited from being in the voting booth or room when the voter makes his marks on the ballot paper, to influence the voters, to distribute any campaign materials or literature. It is also prohibited to ask voters how they voted, to provide them with any assistance in making marks on ballot papers, to interfere in the activities of the precinct referendum commission, including when sealing ballot boxes, opening them, and counting votes.

Interviewed by Mukhtarama Komilova, UzA