“During years of independence the country has established a democratic electoral system that meets international requirements. There is a system of electoral commissions headed by independent CEC, which has developed and implements a unique Concept for preparing and holding elections to legislative and representative bodies. Preparations for elections in the country are carried out at a high pace,” said Sergey Lebedev, chairman of executive committee - executive secretary of CIS.

Participants of the seminar elaborated on changes in electoral law adopted last year. According to experts, they are not only fully consistent with international standards but also raise the electoral system of the country to a qualitatively new level.

“One of the positive aspects in innovations in the electoral legislation is that the number of seats in Oliy Majlis has increased. This indicates growth in the role and professionalism of the parliament, citizens’ confidence,” pointed out Mohan Dhar, editor and political columnist at Political Events magazine, India.

According to Vitaly Kulik from the National Institute of International Security Problems, Ukraine, the guaranteed number of seats assigned to the Ecology Movement in the parliament will help address issues concerning absolutely all citizens, promote adopting targeted bills including those related to natural resources. Changes in the electoral legislation of Uzbekistan stipulate that only political parties may nominate candidates, thus creating conditions for the development and strengthening of this important civil society institution.

Upcoming parliamentary elections to legislative and representative bodies, as highlighted by foreign and domestic experts, will be held in the developing information sphere, higher professionalism of journalists, more active participation of the media in the electoral process.

“Media laws created during years of independence promote development of free media. Media outlets have become a true Fourth Estate. It is important that governmental and nongovernmental media cover almost the entire country that provides for a broad realization of democratic principle of pluralism of opinions during election campaigns,” said Sajjad Malik, senior editor at Daily Times newspaper, Pakistan.

The seminar was organized by the Central Election Commission of Uzbekistan, Institute for the Study of Civil Society, National Center for Human Rights, Uzbek Agency of Communication and Information, National Association of Electronic Mass Media, Public Fund for the Support and Development of Independent Print Media and News Agencies of Uzbekistan, Office of OSCE Project Coordinator in Uzbekistan.

By Guzal Yusupova, UT