Tashkent, Feb 24 Central Election Commission of the Republic had a meeting with members of the core group of the observer mission of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), which arrived in Uzbekistan. Mission is headed by Cayetana de Zulueta.
Deputy Chairman of the Central Election Commission K.Adilov informed guests about the election campaign in Uzbekistan. In particular, guests were informed about the implementation of the Program of the substantive preparations and conduct of elections of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan approved by the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan. It was noted that the Central, District and precinct election commissions in their work will pay particular attention to the strict observance of the principles of legality, openness and transparency at all stages of the election campaign.
A thorough exchange of views on the organization of OSCE ODIHR, its interaction with the Central Election Commission in the implementation of the observation of the presidential elections in Uzbekistan.
The meeting highlighted that in accordance with the amendments to Article 117 of the Constitution of the republic significantly strengthened legal guarantees for the independence of the Central Election Commission as a constitutional body responsible for organizing and conducting elections, emphasized the basic principles of its activity – independence, legality, collegiality, openness, fairness . Separately, stressed that in accordance with the amendments to the Code of Administrative Responsibility enhanced responsibility of individuals and entities involved in the electoral process, for the faithful observance of the election legislation, strict enforcement of the Central Election Commission.
The sides expressed confidence that the work of the OSCE ODIHR will enhance the openness and transparency of the electoral process, its organization in accordance with international standards and norms.
As noted Caetana De Zulueta, the mission will observe the elections on a long term basis, in accordance with the terms and manner prescribed by the legislation of Uzbekistan, which includes monitoring of how the candidates to campaign, as the media inform voters about the election. The mission visited a number of regions of the country and get acquainted with the activities of the electoral commissions.
In accordance with Article 5 of the Law “On Elections of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan” in all the preparations and conduct of elections, as well as polling stations on election day and vote counting at each polling station shall be entitled to participate on one observer from political parties that nominated candidates for President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, representatives of the press, television and radio, observers from other countries, international organizations and movements. Their powers should be supported by appropriate mandates, samples of which establishes the Central Election Commission. The mandate of the observer also gives the right to attend meetings of the Central Election Commission which meets openly and publicly.
