Over 1,000 international observers will attend the upcoming parliamentary elections in Uzbekistan, it has emerged.
The presence of so many independent experts,providing independent oversight, is seen as vital for the credibility of the 27 October poll.
A high-level debate on the future of the former Soviet country and the elections was told that representatives from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe will be among the 1,000-plus team of observers.
Others have also been invited to send observers, including the U.S Congress and the European Parliament, the discussion in Brussels on 26 September was told.
There will also be 10,000 local Uzbekistan observers representing each political party who will be present in every constituency for the election.
Among those speaking at the event was senior Uzbekistan Senator Sodiq Safoyev who said, “This is all being done to ensure this is a healthy election.
“No election is perfect but everything is being done to make sure this is a free, fair and transparent election.”
Feedback from the international observers will be “carefully scrutinised” and their reports will “create a roadmap for improvements” for future elections, he said.
He said, “The elections are important as it is the best way to create trust between the government and public. Yes, there will be winners and losers but people must be able to see that the elections are transparent and fair, comply with international standards and are accepted by the majority of people.”
It was also revealed that the five political parties contesting the election have each exceeded new gender balance targets for the election.
Under a radical shakeup of the country’s constitution women have to make up at least 40percent of candidates nominated by each political party.
The event, “Uzbekistan 2024 parliamentary elections – On the road to a democratic future”, heard that, in fact, some 44.7percent of all candidates due to contest the election to the Uzbek parliament next month are women.
Additionally, and or the first time, candidates will be elected under an absolute, rather than relative, majority system. A single electronic voting system has been introduced to combat voter fraud and the election will also be the “most digital” in the country’s history, it was said.
Safoyev, First Deputy Speaker of the Senate of Uzbekistan, pointed out that the legislative elections will be the first since the new constitution came into effect and will also be a “test of how the internal reform process (in Uzbekistan) is working.”
Looking at some of the challenges still facing the country, he said, “My country is committed to building a secular and inclusive society. We are talking about genuine modernisation. It was, in the past, believed that economic transformation should come first but it has become clear that without respect for human rights, a strong parliament and a strong civil society this will not work.”
However, he cautioned, “But modernisation means also changing one’s mentality to a new paradigm of development.”
The landlocked nation, he noted, had just entered the next phase of its reform process, one which “demands more decisive action.”
He also noted that the majority of the Uzbek population is under the age of 35, adding, “they do not remember the Soviet era so we must find a way to connect and appeal to them.”
“This upcoming election will be a battle to win the hearts and minds of the people and it is for the parties to convince them their ideas are best for the country.
“Never before in Uzbekistan have we seen such interest in becoming an MP or a local councillor. My hope for the election is that it will demonstrate a better political engagement with the population and bring into the parliament new people with new ideas who will ensure the reforms will continue.”
Another speaker was Eldor Tulyakov, Executive Director of the Development Strategy Centre in Uzbekistan, who stressed the role of civil society and NGOs.
He said, “Uzbekistan is changing and the government understands that you cannot carry out all reforms on your own. That is why working with civil society is so important for the government.”
He added, “This is a huge challenge but our job is to ensure that the voice of civil society is heard. We coordinate all such efforts to ensure civil society is actively involved and that includes ensuring the accountability of public officials.”
Quizzed about criticism of the Uzbekistan government, he said, “I can tell you that the atmosphere in the country has changed in last few years and there is now a desire to involve the public and that their voices are heard at all levels. Talking to people is a priority under this current reform process. This means talking to people and getting their ideas. Offices have even been opened where people can go to express their views on the reforms.”
He too agreed that challenges remain, adding, “People do feel more motivated (to vote) but I accept that, yes, there are still challenges, including a need for NGOs to raise public awareness of civil society. The government is trying to digitilize its activities but not everyone can use digital platforms so we need to raise digital literacy. Another challenge is capacity building which is important for public officials.”
Turning directly to the elections he admitted that “disinformation” and fake news would be a challenge but said the government was working with the media and others to counter this.
Asked what his main “election takeaway” was, he replied, “My hope is that the election will be more competitive and transparent and underline the irreversible reforms now underway. I also look forward to see how the new mixed election system will work and the outcome of the digital process.”
Also speaking was Utkir Saidov, head of Department at the Centre for Analysis of Democratic Processes, launched in 2022 to analysis democratic processes in Uzbekistan.
He told the packed audience at the International Press Centre, “The elections are historic for us and the political reforms are closely connected to development of political pluralism. The differences between the parties are clear.
“For example, while one party focuses on market reforms another advocates for a balanced economy and state intervention. This is just one example to show how political pluralism in Uzbekistan is now much better than in the past.”
A fourth speaker on the panel was Nodir Tilavoldiev, a Member of the Parliament in Uzbekistan, and Deputy Chairman of the “National Revival” Democratic Party (“Milliy Tiklanish”).
He noted that the party is the 2nd largest in Uzbekistan (and in the parliament) and boasts 1,200 members on local councils.
He told an audience of EU officials and others, “We emphasise the importance of national values and our national culture. We also put a priority on education and one’s upbringing, two things which should complement each other. These are some of the reasons more people are choosing us.”
But he also stressed that “modernity should not come at the cost of national values.”
“The election is very important because it will happen within a new legal framework and in light of the new constitution.
“Some 60 percent of our population comprises young people so we must try to reach out to them and I obviously hope we will win a lot of seats, both in the parliament and local councils.”
The event was organised by the Center for the Analysis of Democratic Processes and Euractiv.
