Uzbekistan is forward-looking and progressively developing nation: Uzbek envoy
Some 20 million people will be participating in Uzbekistan’s upcoming elections, including 2 million youth who will vote for the first time.
By IAR Desk
Uzbekistan will have parliamentary elections on 22 December 2019. Five political parties will participate in the parliamentary elections and they will compete to gain seats in the 150-seat Legislative Assembly – the lower chamber of the Uzbek parliament, which consists of the Senate and the Legislative Assembly.
Five registered political parties are: (1) National Revival Party, (2) People’s Democratic Party, (3) Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan, (4) ‘Adolat’ (Justice) Social Democratic Party and (5) Ecological Party.
Some 20 million people will participate in the elections, including 2 million youth who will vote for the first time. Nearly 10,000 ballot boxes will be used in 150 separate constituencies.
More than 600 international observers, including from international and regional organizations are expected to monitor over the voting processes on elections day. About 1500 international and local Mass Media representatives will cover the elections.
“New Uzbekistan, new elections” is the motto of the upcoming parliamentary elections in the country.
Why new Uzbekistan, new elections? Speaking at the round-table organized at the Uzbek Embassy in Delhi on 12 December Ambassador of Uzbekistan Mr. Farhod Arziev gave a comprehensive outline of the widescale political and economic reforms that are underway in the country whose international image today characterized as ‘forward-looking and progressively developing nation’.
Ambassador emphasized that in the beginning of 2017 under the initiative of President of Uzbekistan H.E. Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev new National Development Strategy of Uzbekistan was adopted. The Strategy has been consistently put into action since then.
According to Ambassador, when one is talking about new Uzbekistan, it is first of all, about openness and transparency in the society. Ensuring rule of law, strengthening democratic principles, protecting rights and freedoms of each and every citizen have become a top priority of the government policy. Today Uzbekistan has vibrant tv-channels and newspapers that freely discuss any pressing topic of the people’s interest. Social media has become an integral part of the Uzbek society. Dynamic civil society is actively contributing the progressive development of the country.
Secondly, as Ambassador said, there is high level of accountability and responsibility of the Government bodies before the ordinary citizens. From the very beginning of the reforms the President of Uzbekistan put it very firmly: it is not people who should serve the government bodies, but it is government bodies shat should serve people. Today this principle has deeply rooted in everyday life of every government official.
Besides, the government of Uzbekistan also putting increasing efforts in fighting against corruption. Nationwide governmental commission has been established on fight against corruption. Rule of law and justice have become the foremost important principles of the reforms. The government recognizes these elements to be the key in ensuring inclusive and sustainable development.
During the discussion Ambassador also highlighted ongoing economic reforms in Uzbekistan. According to him, as a result of the reforms a completely new conditions for the social and economic development have been created. Revolutionary steps have been taken to liberalize the economy and create better and wider opportunities for the business and entrepreneurship to grow.
Discussions at the round-table also touched upon Uzbekistan’s foreign policy priorities as part of the new National Development Strategy. As it was stressed, for Uzbekistan the Central Asian region, deepening friendly relations with next-door neighbors is the topmost foreign policy priority. Under the new regional policy of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, thanks to concrete political and diplomatic steps taken by Uzbekistan a new political atmosphere in Central Asia was created. Today the countries of the region enjoy a high level of mutual trust, confidence, support and friendship.
Drawing attention to the upcoming parliamentary elections in Uzbekistan Ambassador Arziev highlighted the fact that pre-election campaign demonstrates Uzbek citizens and political parties are showing a rising vigor in the political life of the country. Heated debates among different party candidates, Mass Media scrutiny of their promises, is something of new phenomenon for Uzbekistan.
“No doubt that the upcoming parliamentary elections will play a significant role in further deepening the democratic reforms in our society, further increasing the role of the parliament”, the Ambassador said.
Ambassador Arziev also informed that 53 polling stations will be running at the Uzbek diplomatic representations in foreign countries. There Uzbek citizens temporarily or permanently living abroad can cast their votes.
A voting station will also be in place at the Embassy of Uzbekistan in India, located at 40 Dr. Radhakrishnan Marg, Chanakyapuri, for the citizens of Uzbekistan who are present in India on 22 December 2019.
