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PARTICIPATION OF POLITICAL PARTIES IN THE ELECTORAL
PROCESS IN UZBEKISTAN
Qarshiyev Nurmuhammad Olimjonovich
NUUZ: Acting Associate Professor of the Department of “Political Science”.
E-mail:nurmuxammad.qarshiev@mail.ru
Tel: 90 975 90 70
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14922640
Abstract
The acceleration of political processes in the world also accelerates
democratic changes within the political system. The interdependence of the
party system and the electoral system and their complementary concepts are
relevant to their study as an object of research.
In recent years, Uzbekistan has adopted several regulatory legal acts aimed
at simplifying the participation of political parties in electoral processes.
Furthermore, to enhance the involvement of political parties in elections and
increase their influence in society, a "mixed electoral" system has been
introduced. This electoral system was implemented for the first time in the
context of Uzbekistan and proved to be successful.
Keywords:
Uzbekistan, political party, electoral system, majoritarian,
proportional, mixed electoral system, democratic elections, parliament,
Legislative Chamber, electorate.
Introduction.
The influence of the institution of a political party on the
democratization of elections in the world is increasing. Political parties are
political structures that ensure the diversity of opinions and ideologies in the
country and demonstrate the will of voters in governance. Political parties are
usually a link between the state institution and the people, as well as an
institution that carries, creates, and promotes an ideology. When it comes to the
electoral process and the participation of political parties, According to Article
64 of the “Election Code” of the Republic of Uzbekistan, “Nomination of
candidates for the Presidency of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be carried out
by the higher bodies of political parties[2].
That is, according to the legislation of
the Republic of Uzbekistan, the right to nominate candidates in elections is
granted only to political parties.
Also, to ensure equal participation of political parties in election processes,
they will be given equal opportunities in terms of propaganda and financial
support. According to Article 5 of the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On
Political Parties," "The state guarantees the protection of the rights and
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legitimate interests of political parties, creates equal legal opportunities for
them to fulfill their statutory goals and objectives.
State bodies of power and administration, enterprises, institutions,
organizations, and their officials are prohibited from interfering in the internal
affairs of political parties or obstructing their activities in any way if their
activities are carried out by the law and their charters.
It is established that political parties are not allowed to interfere in the
activities of state bodies and officials[3].
Main Part.
In Uzbekistan, legislation on the "Electoral System" and the
activities of "Political Parties" is considered one of the leading countries among
the states of Central Asia in terms of its compliance with democratic principles.
In particular, the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan also contains
articles on the activities of the "Electoral System" and "Political Parties." Chapter
XXII of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan is called the "Electoral
System," and Article 128 of it states: "Citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall
have the right to elect and be elected to the representative bodies of state
authority. Every elector shall have one vote. The right to vote, equality, and
freedom of expression of will shall be guaranteed by law"[1].
Also, democratic electoral processes are being carried out in the country
based on the "Electoral Code" of the Republic of Uzbekistan, adopted in 2019.
This code fully complies with international electoral standards. For example,
Article 3. "Basic principles of conducting elections in the Republic of Uzbekistan
Elections in the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be held based on universal,
equal, direct suffrage by secret ballot.
Elections shall be held openly and transparently[2].
The principles and norms of international law serve as the basis for
democratic elections. The main documents reflecting international electoral
standards are:
- Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UN General Assembly, December
10, 1948).
- European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and
Fundamental Freedoms (1950).
- International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (UN, 16 December
1966).
These documents state that the principles of universal, equal, direct, and
secret voting are fundamental characteristics of basic democratic elections.
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In recent years, Uzbekistan has also aimed to further democratize the
electoral process, simplify the participation of political parties in it, and most
importantly, create convenience for voters, and shape state governance through
fair and transparent elections. We can observe that the level of voter
participation in electoral processes, political activity, political participation,
political awareness, and political culture is growing year by year.
According to the results of the 2024 elections to the Legislative Chamber of
the Republic of Uzbekistan and local councils held in Uzbekistan on October 27,
the total number of voters in the country by election day was 19 million 944
thousand 859 people. The number of voters who participated in the elections
was 74.72 percent, or 15 million 27 thousand 529 people, compared to the total
number of voters. For comparison, in the 2021 elections to the State Duma of
Russia, voter turnout was 51.72 percent [6]. In the 2023 parliamentary elections
in Kazakhstan, one of the leading countries in the Central Asian region, 6.5
million voters out of a total of 12 million voters participated. 54.21 percent of
the total number of voters participated in the vote, with the lowest figure
recorded in Almaty (25.82) [5]. Based on the above, we can say that Uzbekistan
is one of the leading countries in the region in terms of public participation in
political processes, particularly elections.
In the elections to the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic
of Uzbekistan and local councils held in Uzbekistan on October 27, 2024,
according to the general results of the elections for the Legislative Chamber, the
Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan, which is considered to be a supporter of
a free economy and a reduction in the state's share in the economy, belongs to
the liberal-democratic movement in its ideological orientation, the main part of
its electorate is made up of the middle-class property owners, representatives of
the middle class relying on liberal ideology, entrepreneurs and enterprising
farmers, and has a center-right position in the spectrum - the movement of
entrepreneurs and businessmen - won 64 deputy seats.
The Democratic Party of Uzbekistan "Milliy Tiklanish" (National Revival),
which is considered to be a supporter of economic freedom while preserving
national values, belongs to the conservatism trend in its ideological orientation,
and its main electorate is composed of intellectuals, representatives of science,
education, culture, art and information, youth, scientists, teachers, educators,
creative people, athletes, representatives of tourism, folk medicine, and
community workers, and is located on the right side of the spectrum. It won 29
deputy seats.
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The Ecological Party of Uzbekistan, which is considered to be a supporter of
strengthening state control over environmental protection, accelerating the
transition to a "green economy", and creating a favorable environment for the
population, whose ideological orientation belongs to the ecologist movement,
the main part of its electorate is made up of employees of environmental
protection organizations, citizens who are not indifferent to environmental
protection, and whose position in the spectrum is left-center, won a total of 16
deputy seats.
The People's Democratic Party of Uzbekistan, which is considered to be a
supporter of expanding the state's participation in the economy and a socially
oriented economy, belongs to the social democratic trend in its ideological
orientation, and its electorate is mainly composed of people in need of social
protection, representatives of social sector organizations and budget
organizations, pensioners, the disabled, single elderly people, women with many
children, and orphans. It occupies a left position in the spectrum, occupying a
total of 20 deputy seats.
The Social Democratic Party of Uzbekistan "Adolat", which is considered to
be a supporter of maintaining state participation in recognizing economic
freedom and social equality, belongs to the social democratic trend in its
ideological orientation, and its electorate consists mainly of highly qualified
specialists, budget employees, teachers, doctors, engineers, technicians,
scientists, and representatives of the service sector, and its position on the
spectrum is close to the center-left, won 21 [4] deputy seats.
The above figures show that, accordingly, supporters of ideas based on
liberal-democratic ideology constitute the majority among the population,
followed by conservatism, social democracy, and environmentalism. In
Uzbekistan, open. Democratic electoral processes are taking place based on
mutual, healthy competition between political parties. The participation of the
media in the elections is becoming more active, they are actively covering the
processes and organizing various television debates.
Conclusion.
In ensuring the development of a free civil society based on
democracy, the issues of political parties and their open and transparent
participation in electoral processes are of great importance. The conduct of
elections based on democratic principles depends on political parties. Also, for
political parties to properly shape state governance, fair and transparent
democratic elections are necessary, first of all. It follows that the open and
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competitive participation of political parties in fair and transparent electoral
processes is one of the main conditions for democracy.
References:
1.
O‘zbekiston Respublikasi Konstitutsiyasi. [Matn] Rasmiy nashr. –
Toshkent: “O‘zbekiston” nashriyoti, 2023. – 80 b. ISBN 978-9943-9506-0-3.
2.
Ўзбекистон
Республикасининг
Сайлов
кодекси.26.06.2019.https://lex.uz/docs/4386848
3.
“Сиёсий партиялар тўғрисида”ги Ўзбекистон Республикаси Қонуни.
https://www.lex.uz/acts/54191
4.
Сайлов натижалари эълон қилинди. https://uza.uz/uz/posts/saylov-
natizhalari-elon-qilindi_650961
5.
Ионова.Е. Парламентские выборы в Казахстане – 2023. Центральная
Азия
в
глобальном
мире.
https://www.imemo.ru/files/File/magazines/rossia_i_novay/2023_02/15-
Ionova.pdf
6.
Итого
выборов
в
Государственную
Думу
VIII
созыва.
http://duma.gov.ru/news/52313/
