Voting rights are equal for all

As noted in the interim report of the Election Observation Mission of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights on the Early Presidential Elections, Uzbekistan is a party to the main international instruments related to holding of democratic elections. The presidential election is primarily regulated by the 2023 Constitution, and the 2019 Election Code, reports “Dunyo” IA correspondent.

Following the adoption of the changes to the Constitution, the legal framework has been undergoing a reform process that included revision of the Constitution and the Election Code. The 2023 changes included the introduction of a two-month deadline for holding early presidential election in case the president calls them. With the introduction of amendments, changes, and additions, the current Basic Law has been updated by almost 60 percent, and the number of articles has increased from 128 to 155. A reform process has been carried out in the legal system, including revising the Constitution and the Election Code.

The 2023 amendments to the Constitution and the Election Code addressed some of the ODIHR’s previous recommendations, including removing a blanket ban for people declared legally incapable by a court and those imprisoned for serious and grave crimes, and amendments to the Election Code further expanded the ineligibility criteria for members of election commissions.

According to the CEC, the 2023 amendments to the Election Code reflect amendments to the Constitution and thus did not require additional consultation with relevant stakeholders prior to their adoption.

TASHKENT, June 28. /«Dunyo» IA/.