As of today, the Central Election Committee of Uzbekistan has already accepted application documents for elections from candidates of “Adolat” (Justice) Social Democratic Party, People’s Democratic Party of Uzbekistan, Movement of Entrepreneurs and Businessman: Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan and voters’ initiative group.

The Law “On Presidential Elections of the Republic of Uzbekistan” states that political parties and voters’ initiative group must collect signatures of no less than 5% of the total number of voters in support of the candidates nominated. Taking into account the fact that the number of voters totals 16,297,400 people, 5% of them must comprise 814,870 voters. That said, the law states that in one administrative territorial area political parties or voters’ initiative group may collect no more than 8% of the total number of signatures.

“All the four candidates whose applications have been forwarded to the Central Election Committee for consideration have collected a sufficient number of signatures. The Central Election Committee has set up two working groups for the purpose of verifying the sufficiency and authenticity of the collected signatures. The working groups are comprised of experienced specialists from criminal investigation establishments, lawyers and representatives of the public. In accordance with conclusions which will be provided by the working groups, at its regular session the CEC will consider the issue of registering the candidates for presidency of the Republic of Uzbekistan”, said Kuchkar Togayev, Deputy Chairman of the Central Election Committee of Uzbekistan.

The Law “On Presidential Elections of the Republic of Uzbekistan” states that the registration of candidates for presidency ends thirty five days before the actual presidential elections. Within five days after the registration of candidates for presidency of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Central Election Committee will publish a statement on the registration, including candidates’ full name, date of birth, party membership, position, place of employment and address as well as those of a political party and voters’ initiative group that has nominated a candidate for upcoming presidential elections.

To date, the process of setting up district electoral commissions that number 8,250 across the country has been completed. Also, the samples of voting bulletins and sheets have been approved by the Central Election Committee.

By Shahnoza Turabekova