Election Campaigning Kicks off in Uzbekistan

Дата публикации: Nov 28, 2014 11:52:40 AM

Election Campaigning Kicks off in Uzbekistan

The Republican Press Center for the coverage of elections 2014 has played host to a press conference of the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan for local and foreign journalists.

Chairman of the Central Election Commission Mirza-Ulughbek Abdusalomov informed the media representatives that the Commission had gathered for a regular meeting, whereby the CEC members adopted resolutions on the registration of candidates for deputies to the Legislative Chamber of Uzbekistan’s Oliy Majlis and one on the order of conducting election campaigning.

It was noted at the pres conference that all the political parties have held their congresses and conferences within time frames established by the law, where they announced candidates to run for membership of the lower house of parliament. In accordance with Article 24 of the Law on Elections to the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Central Election Commission has accepted applications from leaders of political parties requesting registration of candidates for deputyship and the required document attached to applications.

In order to organize inspection of the documents presented by political parties within the seven-day period established by the law, a workgroup was set up that was composed of members and other officials of the Central Election Commission. In the process of examination of documents of candidates for deputies, issues under consideration were those concerning the nomination of candidates for deputyship by the supreme body of the political party, nomination of one candidate each from one electoral district, as well as the compliance of candidates for lower house membership with the requirements stipulated by the law to them.

It was stressed during the press conference that all the efforts to nominate candidates for deputies of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis by political parties have been undertaken in strict adherence to the requirements of the electoral legislation.

Along with this, under Article 22 of the Law on Elections to the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, a special significance was attached to the compliance with the norm of the law that envisages that women should account for at least 30 percent from the total number of candidates nominated from political parties for deputyship. Thus, female candidates make up 31.8 percent of the registered nominees.

In addition, among the candidates for membership of the lower house of parliament, representatives of education sector account for 26.5 percent, 20.2 percent come from the production sphere, economists make up 20.8 percent, the share of lawyers reaches 14.2 percent, while another 10.1 percent goes to healthcare workers. All of them hold higher education and wield extensive life experience. 21.7 percent of nominees for lawmakers hold doctoral degrees. 13.8 percent of the total number of candidates has been elected deputies earlier.

Thus, in line with Article 26 of the Law on Elections to the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, registration of candidates for deputies has been complete within time frames established by the law.

Under the requirements of the electoral legislation, lists of candidates registered by the Central Election Commission for membership of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis are to be published in the press with indication of family names, first names, middle names, year of birth, party membership, posts they hold, place of work and residence of every candidate for lawmakers, along with the political party that nominated them.

It was said at the press conference that following the registration of candidates for deputies, an important stage of the electoral process has been launched, namely, the election campaigning, which is conducted on the basis of requirements of electoral legislation.

Organizational-normative mechanisms are created in our country that facilitate effective use of all forms and methods of election campaigning. In accordance with the Law on Elections to the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Regulations on the Order of Use of Mass Media by the Candidates for Deputies and Political Parties When Conducting Election Campaigning for Elections to the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, nominees for deputies and political parties are entitled the equal rights to make use of mass media. In order to secure equal conditions in using the mass media for candidates for lawmakers and political parties during the election campaigning, ensure the rights of political parties to announce programs of their prospective activities, the Central Election Commission issued a resolution that defines the alphabetic order of their appearance in mass media.

They will be offered all the necessary conditions for meeting with their electorate. In line with latest amendments introduced to the electoral legislation, assemblies of voters are held by political parties on their own.

It was underscored at the press conference that the creation of equal and extensive opportunities for all candidates for deputyship and political parties for their fair and open electoral struggle will allow for securing a sound competition built on political pluralism.

As it was pointed out, the interest to the forthcoming elections to the Uzbek parliament has been rising worldwide. To date, many officials of international organizations and a number of foreign nations have confirmed their participation in international observer mission. In addition, the Central Election Commission has accredited more than 300 representatives of foreign and local mass media for the coverage of elections.

Republican Press Center

for the Coverage of Elections