ILM-FAN VA INNOVATSIYA
ILMIY-AMALIY KONFERENSIYASI
in-academy.uz/index.php/si
28
IMPORTANT POLITICAL PROCESS: ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE
CHAMBER OF THE OLIY MAJLIS OF THE REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN AND
LOCAL COUNCILS
Jamshidbek Donyorbek o’g’li Sobirov
2nd-year student of the Jurisprudence Department, Faculty of Agribusiness and Digital
Economy, The Agriculture and Agrotechnology Institute of Andijan
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13917471
Annotation.
This article analyzes the political and legal aspects of the elections to the
Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and local councils,
scheduled for October 27, 2024. The study examines the evolution of Uzbekistan's electoral
system, the changes implemented within the framework of the 2023 constitutional reforms,
and the effectiveness of the mixed electoral system. Additionally, it discusses the role of political
parties in the elections, election campaigns, the involvement of international observers, and the
compliance of the electoral process with international standards. The article compares
Uzbekistan's electoral system with the practices of other countries, highlighting the social and
economic impact of the elections and their contribution to strengthening democratic
institutions. The research provides an analytical approach to the significance of ongoing
reforms in Uzbekistan's political system and underscores the importance of these elections for
the future of the country.
Key words:
Uzbekistan electoral system, mixed electoral system, constitutional reforms,
political parties, international observers, democratic processes.
History of the Electoral System and Reforms in the Republic of Uzbekistan
After gaining independence, the Republic of Uzbekistan carried out a series of important
changes in its political system, one of which was the formation and reform of the electoral
system. Through elections, citizens form representative bodies of state power, which is one of
the main components of democratic governance.
Early Years of the Electoral System
In the initial years, Uzbekistan's electoral system operated based on elements inherited
from the former Soviet Union. The first presidential election, held on December 29, 1991, was
one of the most important political events following the country's independence. In this
election, Islam Karimov was elected as the first president of Uzbekistan. The first elections to
the Oliy Majlis (parliament) were held in 1994. During this period, the electoral system
functioned within a multi-party system but under an authoritarian regime.
Reforms in the 2000s
Starting in the 2000s, Uzbekistan undertook several measures to reform its electoral
system. In 2002, a new law was introduced, establishing the Electoral Code, which created a
legal basis for more open and transparent elections. Additionally, during this period, the
number of political parties increased, and changes were made to the legislation to strengthen
the activities of parties eligible to participate in elections.
The 2008 Reforms
In 2008, changes were made to the system for electing deputies to the Legislative
Chamber of the Oliy Majlis. These reforms introduced a mixed electoral system, in which part
of the deputies were elected through a majoritarian system and part through a proportional
ILM-FAN VA INNOVATSIYA
ILMIY-AMALIY KONFERENSIYASI
in-academy.uz/index.php/si
29
system. This system was designed to ensure diversity and balance in the election of deputies to
the Oliy Majlis.
The 2019 Elections and Renewed Political Processes
The 2019 elections to the Oliy Majlis marked the beginning of changes in state governance
and the liberalization of the political system. In this election, new-generation political parties
and candidates actively participated. International observers, including those from
OSCE/ODIHR, noted an increase in the transparency of the elections, although some issues
remained. After Shavkat Mirziyoyev was elected president, he focused on accelerating reforms
in the political system.
The 2023 Constitutional Amendments
The constitutional amendments introduced in 2023 marked a turning point in
Uzbekistan’s electoral system. These changes were aimed at further democratizing the electoral
process, increasing the role of parliament, and expanding citizens' electoral rights. In particular:
Expansion of the powers of the Oliy Majlis
– Strengthening the role of parliament in
governance, increasing its influence over the state.
Development of the mixed electoral system
– Enhancing the balance between
majoritarian and proportional systems to strengthen multiparty representation and ensure
broader citizen participation.
Impact of the 2023 Constitutional Amendments on the Electoral System
The amendments to the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan introduced in 2023
significantly influenced the country's political and legal system. These changes aimed to further
democratize the electoral process, increase transparency, and enhance the impact of citizens
on representative bodies. The constitutional reforms encompassed all branches of state power,
including the election process, introducing new rules for electing deputies to the Legislative
Chamber of the Oliy Majlis and local councils. The main aspects of these reforms include:
1.
Expansion of the powers of the Oliy Majlis
: The amendments extended the powers of
the Oliy Majlis. As the highest legislative div of the country, the Oliy Majlis plays a crucial role
in the democratic governance system. The 2023 reforms increased the authority of deputies in
the Legislative Chamber, making their election process more democratic and transparent.
2.
Strengthening of the mixed electoral system
: The constitutional reforms reinforced
the mixed electoral system. In Uzbekistan, a mixed system is applied, where some deputies are
elected through a majoritarian system (by direct citizen vote), and others through a
proportional system (based on party lists). These reforms further developed this system to
form the composition of parliament on a multiparty basis.
3.
Expansion of citizens' electoral rights
: A key part of the 2023 reforms was aimed at
expanding citizens' electoral rights. These changes sought to increase voter participation,
ensure free voting, and enhance mechanisms for transparency and fairness in elections.
4.
Ensuring the independence of electoral commissions
: Several reforms were
introduced to strengthen the independence of electoral commissions. These changes aimed to
ensure the independence of the Central Election Commission and reduce external influences on
the electoral process. Independent election commissions were expected to improve
transparency and fairness in the election process.
5.
Expansion of international observer participation
: To ensure that Uzbekistan's
electoral system complies with international standards, the involvement of international
ILM-FAN VA INNOVATSIYA
ILMIY-AMALIY KONFERENSIYASI
in-academy.uz/index.php/si
30
observers was expanded. The 2023 reforms aimed to increase oversight by international
organizations, including reputable ones like OSCE/ODIHR. This aimed to enhance the
transparency of elections and ensure they were recognized by the international community.
Impact of the 2023 Reforms on Elections to the Oliy Majlis and Local Councils
The 2023 constitutional amendments directly affected the elections to the Oliy Majlis and local
councils. These reforms were aimed at ensuring that elections were conducted in a more
democratic manner, in accordance with legal standards.
Particular attention was given to increasing the competitiveness of candidates and parties,
expanding voter choice, and strengthening the role of local councils.
In the elections for deputies to local councils, a mixed system was also applied, where some
deputies were elected through a majoritarian system, while others were elected from party
lists. This system was designed to increase the efficiency of local governance and enhance
citizen participation in local issues.
Effectiveness of the Mixed Electoral System and Its Application in Uzbekistan
The mixed electoral system is one of the most common forms of electoral systems in democratic
countries, where elections are held based on two main components: a majoritarian system
(determining winners by majority vote) and a proportional system (distributing seats among
political parties according to their share of the vote). The mixed electoral system was
introduced in Uzbekistan in 2008 and has been improved since then.
Structure of the Mixed Electoral System
Typically, the mixed electoral system includes two types of voting:
1.
Majoritarian system
: Voters cast their ballots for candidates in a specific constituency,
and the candidate with the most votes is elected. This system allows voters to directly select
candidates, and typically one candidate is elected from each electoral district.
2.
Proportional system
: Political parties receive seats in parliament based on the
percentage of votes they receive. The goal of this system is to distribute votes as fairly as
possible so that parties receive seats proportional to their vote share.
The Mixed Electoral System in Uzbekistan
In the Republic of Uzbekistan, deputies to the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis and local
councils are elected using a mixed electoral system. The election to the Legislative Chamber of
the Oliy Majlis consists of two parts:
Majoritarian system
: Of the 150 deputies in the Oliy Majlis, 125 are elected through the
majoritarian system, meaning the candidate with the most votes in each constituency wins.
Voters directly choose their candidates in this system.
Proportional system
: The remaining 25 deputies are elected from party lists based on
the proportional system. Political parties campaign to gather votes and receive seats in
proportion to their vote totals. The proportional system aims to balance the distribution of
seats among parties and ensure broad political representation in parliament.
Local council deputies are also elected based on both majoritarian and proportional systems.
Effectiveness of the Mixed Electoral System
Through the mixed electoral system, Uzbekistan aims to achieve several important goals:
1.
Strengthening multiparty politics
: The proportional component of the mixed system
encourages the growth of political parties and motivates their active participation in elections.
This ensures the representation of diverse political views and interests in parliament.
ILM-FAN VA INNOVATSIYA
ILMIY-AMALIY KONFERENSIYASI
in-academy.uz/index.php/si
31
2.
Enhancing regional representation
: The majoritarian system allows for the direct
election of representatives from each region. This system provides opportunities for the
interests of each region to be expressed at the national level.
3.
Providing voters with broader choices
: In the mixed system, voters participate in two
types of elections, allowing them to choose both candidates and political parties. This enhances
voter engagement and increases interest in the election process.
4.
Strengthening democratic governance
: The mixed system, particularly the
proportional aspect, helps ensure fair representation in democratic systems. The equal
participation of different political groups in parliament strengthens democratic governance
and maintains political balance.
Challenges of the Mixed Electoral System in Uzbekistan
Despite its effectiveness, the mixed electoral system in Uzbekistan faces some challenges:
1.
Complexity of the electoral system
: The mixed system may appear complicated to
voters, as they are required to cast ballots in two different formats. This could affect their
understanding of the process.
2.
Compatibility of political parties with candidates
: In the proportional system, political
parties run candidates through their lists, while in the majoritarian system, independent
candidates can also compete. Ensuring the cohesion of these two systems may be difficult, as
the interests of political parties and independent candidates could conflict during elections.
3.
Competition among regional candidates
: The majoritarian system fosters strong
competition among regional candidates. This can complicate the election process in certain
regions or lead voters to make uninformed choices.
Uzbekistan’s Compliance with International Electoral Standards and the Role of
International Observers
As Uzbekistan works to democratize its electoral system, compliance with international
electoral standards is of paramount importance. Elections that adhere to international
standards ensure transparency, fairness, and credibility, thereby fostering public confidence in
the electoral process. Moreover, compliance with these standards contributes to Uzbekistan's
international recognition. The involvement of international observers is a key mechanism for
monitoring the alignment of elections with democratic principles.
International Electoral Standards and Uzbekistan
International electoral standards, primarily established by organizations such as the United
Nations (UN), the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and the Council
of Europe, encompass several key principles:
1.
Free and fair elections
: Citizens must have the ability to choose their representatives
freely, without any external pressure or influence.
2.
Transparency of the electoral process
: Transparency must be ensured throughout the
election process, including during voting and vote counting.
3.
Universal suffrage
: All eligible citizens should be allowed to participate in elections on
an equal footing, with no discrimination.
4.
Political pluralism and competition
: Various political parties and candidates should
have the right to present their ideas freely and compete on equal terms during election
campaigns.
ILM-FAN VA INNOVATSIYA
ILMIY-AMALIY KONFERENSIYASI
in-academy.uz/index.php/si
32
5.
Independence of election commissions
: The bodies overseeing the election process,
particularly election commissions, must be independent. They should operate without external
pressures and in accordance with the law.
Uzbekistan has been implementing reforms to align its electoral legislation with international
standards. Notably, the adoption of the new Electoral Code in 2019 was aimed at enhancing the
transparency of the electoral process and increasing its compliance with international
standards.
The Role of International Observers
International observers play a critical role in assessing the compliance of elections with
international standards and ensuring the transparency of the process. Uzbekistan has sought
to increase the participation of international observers to enhance the openness of its elections.
International organizations actively involved in monitoring elections in Uzbekistan include:
1.
OSCE/ODIHR (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Office for
Democratic Institutions and Human Rights)
: This organization is one of the most active in
monitoring elections in Uzbekistan. It conducts thorough analysis of the electoral process and
prepares objective, detailed reports on how the elections were conducted.
2.
CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) election missions
: Observer groups from
the CIS countries also monitor elections in Uzbekistan.
3.
Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and other international organizations
:
The OIC participates as an observer in Uzbekistan's elections, providing assessments of the
election process.
Assessments by International Observers
The assessments provided by international observers on elections in Uzbekistan have
varied. For instance, during the 2019 Oliy Majlis elections, OSCE/ODIHR observers noted
positive changes in the electoral process. Reports indicated an increase in transparency and
highlighted the reforms being undertaken. However, certain shortcomings were also noted,
such as restricted competition between political parties and candidates and the incomplete
guarantee of equal opportunities during election campaigns.
Similarly, during the 2021 presidential election, international observers once again
praised the changes made to Uzbekistan’s electoral system but noted that issues related to free
competition in the election campaigns remained.
Uzbekistan's Steps Toward Conforming to International Standards
In addition to the constitutional reforms of 2023, Uzbekistan has taken multiple steps to
further align its electoral process with international standards. These reforms are aimed at
increasing international recognition of the country and fully safeguarding the electoral rights
of its citizens.
References:
1.
Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan
2.
Electoral Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan
3.
Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan
4.
OSCE/ODIHR election reports
5.
Norma.uz – Amendments to the Constitution
6.
UN electoral principles
ILM-FAN VA INNOVATSIYA
ILMIY-AMALIY KONFERENSIYASI
in-academy.uz/index.php/si
33
7.
OSCE/ODIHR observers’ reports
8.
CIS election observation missions
9.
IDEA International – International studies on electoral systems.
10.
Sattarova, D. (2024). Siyosiy Muloqotning Pragmatik Aspektlari. Tamaddun Nuri Jurnali,
5(56), 380-383.
11.
Jumayev, F. B. (2023). Legal Services for Collection of Expenses: Problems and Proposals.
Multidisciplinary Journal of Science and Technology, 3(6 (International Scientific Researcher)),
9-13.
12.
qizi To‘yeva, M. S. (2022, November). Yangi O ‘Zbekiston Orifa Ayollari Va G ‘Arb
Ayollarining Jamiyatdagi Mavqeyi Va Ularning Huquqlari. In International Conferences (Vol. 1,
No. 2, pp. 74-81).
13.
Sattarova, D. (2024, January). Siyosiy Notiqlikning Milliy Mаdаniy Vа Lisoniy Tаhlili
(Oʼzbekiston Respublikasi Birinchi Prezidenti Iа Karimov Nutqlari Asosida). In
Международная конференция академических наук (Vol. 3, No. 1, pp. 5-7).
