Five years have passed since Shavkat Mirziyoyev was installed as the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and he initiated a comprehensive reform program that is usually summarized in two words: Yangi O’zbekiston.

This new Uzbekistan has reached a milestone with the oncoming elections due on 24 October 2021. People of the country now have an opportunity to express their opinion about President Mirziyoyev and his reforms in the form of votes. This year five candidates compete for the votes: Mr. Narzullo Naimovich Oblomurodov of the Ecological Party of Uzbekistan, Mrs. Maqsuda Azizovna Vorisova of the People’s Democratic Party of Uzbekistan, Mr. Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev of the Movement of Entrepreneurs and Businesspeople – Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan, Alisher Keldiyevich Qodirov of the Democratic Party of Uzbekistan “Milliy Tiklanish”, Bakhrom Abdurahimovich Abduhalimov of the Social Democratic Party of Uzbekistan “Adolat”.

 The inhabitants of Kokand understand the importance of the presidential elections and are aware of the great responsibility they have towards the younger generations who, due to their young age, cannot cast their votes but whose life the results of the elections will influence profoundly. The city authorities also did their best to raise public awareness. Huge boards with the text Prezident saylovi – kelajak tanlovi (the presidential elections decide the future) seen throughout the city make sure that everyone realizes the importance of tomorrow’s results while many other boards call the attention of citizens to tomorrows main event. In line with current regulations that do not allow pre-election campaigning the day before the elections no political advertisements are visible on the streets. 

Everything seems to be ready for the great day in Kokand and all the polling stations are well-prepared. The lists of voters are compiled and put to places where everyone can check them. Important information of each candidate and her/his program is printed and put on display at a place where voters can access it easily. There are appointed places for the representatives of each party, and it is made sure that observers both domestic and foreign can freely do their job. Authorities responsible for setting up the polling stations haven’t forgotten about the pandemic either and they did their best to guarantee voters’ safety and health. Huge boards placed close to the entrance advertise the most important safety measures and no one is allowed to enter the polling station without a mask. Only the votes are missing from the ballot boxes but hopefully, many people would turn up tomorrow and the boxes will be full by 8 o’clock in the evening when the polling stations close. 

Prof. Benedek Peri, Director of the Institute of Oriental Studies, 

Budapest Eötvös Loránd University. 

An International Observer for Presidential elections of Uzbekistan.