Mehmood Ul Hassan Khan
Democracy “flourishes” in all its true spirits in the Republic of Uzbekistan. Democracy stands for the rights of people which are fully enacted throughout the country. Democracy is “for the people, by the people and of the people” which has already been institutionalized so many years ago in Uzbekistan.
People select their representatives at every stage of “political contest”. Parliamentarian and Presidential Elections are arranged according to any international standard in Uzbekistan where common people are “absolutely free” to cast their votes and ultimately “collective choice” prevails.
Uzbekistan is full swing preparing for the upcoming elections of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The Central Elections Commission of Uzbekistan being an independent organ of the “State” has already announced “schedule” of the upcoming President Elections to be held on December 4, 2016. Moreover, it has also announced different parameters to be followed for any political party and its presidential candidates in the country.
In accordance with Article 5 of the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On elections of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan” election commissions carry out preparation and holding of elections of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan openly and publicly. The mass media of the Republic of Uzbekistan cover the process of preparation and holding of the elections.
Uzbekistan has a progressive “Constitution” which is ultimate “Custodian” of all political process. It patronizes democratic spirits, procedures and mechanism to run the affairs of the state and the government alike. It has “Presidential Democracy” as the US, France, Brazil, Germany, Russia and many other countries around the world.
True people’s representations through “Parliamentarian Elections” on “regular basis” with the “popular votes” of the common people of Uzbekistan throughout the country are there to work for the welfare of its people. It strategically creates golden principles of “Separation of Powers” and “Accountability & Responsibilities” in every stage of political decision making in both the houses of its “Parliament”.
Both houses are independent and transparent. Both houses of “Uzbek Parliament” have one of the most educated, sensible, and political motivated and the last but not the least, socially charged “Electoral College” in the region.
Uzbekistan has “Multi-Parties” democracy in its country. On its part, major political parties have started their rigorous consultations and process of nominations of presidential candidates at the highest levels. All political parties have equal rights to participate in the upcoming presidential elections 2016. All political parties have rights of electoral meetings, campaigns and media projections to seek votes from the common people.
Moreover, every political party has the right to appoint an “Observer” at each polling station. Representatives of the print media, TV and radio, observers from other states, international organizations and movements have the right to observe all the process of elections.
Uzbek’s mass media is vibrant and dynamic. It is independent and innovated. It is vast and vocal. It has the largest media groups, newspapers and social media presence in the entire CIS. Its mass media is free in its operations and interpretations.
Media is considered to be “4th pillar” of the modern state which is very much active and neutral in the Uzbekistan. Its plays very important role in holding free, fair and transparent elections in most parts of the world not confined to European Union, USA, Brazil, Turkey and India etc. Its country wide media coverage makes elections proceedings balance, equal and fair in Uzbekistan.
Uzbekistan has one of the most outspoken and vivacious “Civil Society” in the region. Its diversified but integrated role is immense. It acts as “Watch-Dogs” during the process of “Presidential Elections”. It role is productive which upholds “credibility” of the electoral process in all the elections in Uzbekistan. It role is supportive to meet the international standards of democratic norms and elections.
Role of “International Observes” has become “crucial” in any elections and treated as the “Basic Necessity” of Western Democracy. Since Uzbekistan is an open, connected and transparent society which tends to invite a large numbers of international observes to witness the process of elections in the country. They all participate in each and every process of elections and independently give their observations and comments.
Participation of foreign and international observers in the elections of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan further strengthen and reconfirm the principles of transparency and openness of the entire electoral process, respect for the principles of democratic elections such as: universality, equality, freedom and secret ballot in Uzbekistan.
The Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan has already sent the official invitation to the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the Executive Committee of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS Executive Committee), the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB) to observe the elections of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) are autonomous and widely spread in the Republic of Uzbekistan which caters the process of any elections in the country. Their active participation upholds Uzbek’s spirits of fair, free and transparency in the Presidential Elections.
Concluding Remarks
The Central Elections Commission of Uzbekistan has announced schedule of the Presidential Elections which will be held on December 4, 2016. Political parties have also nominated their respective candidates for the said elections.
Uzbek society is vibrant and politically charged and which will actively participate in the upcoming Presidential Elections. Political parties are rigorous engaged with their supporters to win the “political battle through ballots”. International observers have been invited to observe the complete process of elections. Civil Society is dynamic and ready to play its supportive role in the upcoming presidential elections. NGOs are human asset to Uzbekistan which will demonstrate its effectiveness during the elections.
The Republic of Uzbekistan is a “Democratic Country” where every decision is taken through an established political process. Its political system is strong, stable and sustainable and political dispensation has been marginalized through the collective choice of common people which are the real “Conquerors of Democracy”.