Elections in Uzbekistan 2024 “My Choice – My Prosperous Homeland”.
Looking back over time from my first trip to Uzbekistan in 2009 to today, I can only admire the growth and progress under way. The President and his administration have achieved so much in such a short time, and every time I go there, I see new developments that people in Europe do not necessarily hear about. The most tangible result is that people’s general standard of living has been on the rise, and business is booming.
On the 30th April 2023, the Uzbek population participated in the country’s first Constitutional Referendum since the independence in 1991. The Constitution was ratified in 1992, one year after the country became independent. Under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, a comprehensive reform programme was undertaken and a new set of constitutional reforms prepared under the direction of Uzbekistan’s Constitutional Reform Commission.
An initial draft for a new constitution was published in June 2022, which was followed by a public consultation period. Various parliamentary committees, overseen by the commission, subsequently reviewed citizens’ feedback before making changes. In March this year a final draft was unveiled, and the vote scheduled for April 30. The final draft altered 65 percent of the existing Uzbek Constitution, including the introduction of 27 new articles and 159 new provisions. They were all accepted by the population in the referendum.
Later the same year, presidential elections took place. It came as no surprise that Shavkat Mirziyoyev was re-elected for another term. His long list of accomplishments and everything he has done to bring the country into the 21st century can only make people admire him and his administration for everything they have done up to now.
On 27 October 2024, another election took place. As a result of the 2023 reforms, for the first time in the history of Uzbekistan, elections to the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majilis were held on the basis of a mixed majoritarian-proportional electoral system. There were 150 deputies of the Legislative Chamber as well as deputies of regional Kengashes being elected.
Participation in the local and parliamentary elections was higher than 70 percent, which surpassed by far the 33% threshold needed for the election to be valid. All candidates came from one of the country’s five registered political parties, and, owing to the reforms of 2023, there was an increase in the number of seats for women. The country’s Election Committee, being in the forefront of innovation in Central Asia, also tested a new electronic election system in 10 different election poll stations, with satisfactory results.
I was asked to come back to be an independent observer to this election. I was met on Friday morning by Mrs Zukhra Yunusova, the Director of Communication in Uzbekistan’s biggest bank, Ms Mexrangiz Nazarillayeva, a student at the Diplomat Academy of Uzbekistan, and their driver. The welcome was warm (as in the past) and made me feel like a real VIP.
On election day, we visited several polling stations in Taskhent, and they were all impressively well run and efficiently organised. We got a thorough explanation of how the American-produced electronic voting system works. Being of the older generation, I was intrigued that the electronic voting system was highly appreciated by the young generation, whereas those of my own generation were generally inclined to use the traditional way of voting – with paper ballots.
After visits to many voting stations and a lovely lunch, we went to follow the elections in the Press Centre, where the authorities held regular briefings about the polling.
It came as no surprise that the majority of the voters went to the Liberal Party, which currently enjoys a majority. From what I have seen, they seem to have been doing a good job. The economy of the country is getting stronger and stronger, and the Uzbek citizens enjoy a steadily rising standard of living. Several international airports have been created to accommodate the increasing number of tourists coming to the country.
Results of the election showed 64 deputies for the Movement of Entrepreneurs and Businessmen – Uzbekistan Liberal Democratic Party; 29 from the Democratic Party of Uzbekistan; 20 from the People’s Democratic Party of Uzbekistan; 21 from the Social Democratic Party; and 16 from the Uzbekistan Ecology Party.
On a personal note, I would like to express my gratitude to the Chairman of the Uzbek Election Committee, Mr NiZAMKHODJAEV for having invited me to this election as an observer, and then for having given me the chance to meet wonderful persons such as Mrs Zukhra Yunusova, Ms Mexrangiz Nazarillayeva and all the others whom I encountered during my visit. They all did their utmost to make me feel special. Their kindness and generosity are without comparison. So, thank you so much for everything.
MF
