PUBLIC OPINION POLL: 96.8% OF CITIZENS OF UZBEKISTAN NOTED AN IMPORTANT ROLE OF MAHALLA AS PRIMARY LINK IN SYSTEM OF ADMINISTRATION

Center for Study of Public Opinion "Ijtimoiy Fikr" held a public opinion poll "The elections to local self-government bodies - 2016".

The holding of elections to local self-government bodies is particularly significant on the eve of 25th anniversary of Uzbekistan’s independence. During the years of independent development by-step, successive reforms in the country formed the electoral system, which meets all democratic requirements and generally accepted international standards, providing the guarantee of free expression of citizens.

Sociological survey was conducted in all regions of Uzbekistan. It was attended by citizens of different social groups: men and women aged 18 years and older, representatives of different ethnic groups, religions, different spheres of work.

An opinion poll showed that preparation and holding of elections of chairmen (elders) of citizens’ assemblies and their advisers, which was launched May 5, 2016, held in qualitatively new socio-economic and socio-political conditions of further deepening of processes of reform and democratization, modernization of whole country.

The key objective of study was to identify the degree of public awareness on organization of elections to local self-government bodies and procedure for their implementation, and most importantly - willingness of people to participate in them, the level of electoral activity and social expectations.

As confirmed by the answers of respondents, their constitutional right to self-government in townships, villages and mahallas population realizes in accordance with the guarantees of electoral rights through gatherings (Assembly of Representatives) citizens.

Thus, 96.8% of respondents noted an important role of mahalla in private and family life as the primary link in the control system.

The key question of the study was to identify the knowledge of the citizens about what functions are performed by self-government institutions - neighborhood committees, rural gatherings of citizens. About 80% of respondents said confidently that they know about it’s function. Thus, according to the respondents, landscaping, cleanliness and order, development of family business, spiritual and moral education of the youth, provision of material assistance to low-income families and the disabled, issue of social benefits, organization and carrying out various activities prevail among the problems to be solved by the mahalla.

The survey showed that the vast majority of the population (95.7%) know who is currently the chairman of the citizens’ assembly in the areas where they reside. The results showed that the positive assessment of the current working population self-government institutions and its chairman is equally quite high and generally greater than 90%.

The same percentage of citizens by their own admission, assisted the citizens of self-government in solving their problems.

The vast majority of citizens - 91.6% are well informed about the elections chairman of descent of citizens and his advisers held in May and June of this year and to actively participate in them.

An opinion poll showed awareness of citizens that its needed to entrust the fate of mahalla to someone who has a lot of experience, a clear program of action, and that their choice of further situation will depend largely not only on the territory, but also on the whole country. That is why people want citizens assemblies to be headed by energetic man who knows his business, certainly living in the mahalla, honest, educated, possesses professional qualities and great life experience, enjoys well-deserved respect and authority among the population, competent organizer, good family man, connoisseur of local traditions and customs, cares for prosperity of whole country.

The study emphasizes that in the ongoing elections, women not only take an active part in the campaign, but also claim to be the chairman and their advisers. Such participation in the fair half of self-government activity - an indicator of its role and status in our society. This is evidenced by the results of the survey, respondents showed preference, reflecting this view. Nearly half of respondents believe that chairman of citizens’ assembly can be a man and a woman, while many respondents gave a choice to woman.

Mahalla residents are waiting from new chairman of mahalla committee, chairman of the village gathering of citizens and new composition of his advisers above all "prosperity of mahalla, implementation of planned activities, elimination of deficiencies, improvement of residents’ lives". Citizens are aware of fact that ensuring peace and tranquility, prosperity and stability in every family, in every mahalla impacts on peace and prosperity of the entire state.

The results of the opinion poll "The elections to local self-government bodies - 2016" conducted by the Center "Ijtimoiy Fikr", showed stable positive dynamics of social attitudes, people’s willingness to participate actively in election campaign on basis of transparency and openness.

In general, as shown by an opinion poll, the task designated by the President Islam Karimov in the Concept of further deepening democratic reforms and formation of civil society in the country, contribute to further improvement of mahalla as an effective mechanism for development of civil society in Uzbekistan.

Jahon Information Agency