User:Ravshan Burxonov/Central Election Commission (Uzbekistan)

The Central Election Commission (CEC) of the Republic of Uzbekistan is a state body of the Republic of Uzbekistan. It has been an independent body since 1998. According to the electoral legislation, the Oliy Majlis, Presidential elections and referendum of the Republic of Uzbekistan are held in the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The CEC is a collegial body and independent from public authorities. Interference in the activities of the CEC is not allowed. Decisions of the CEC are made at an open commission meeting of CEC members. A meeting is considered valid if 3/2 of the members are present.

The CEC is formed of at least 15 members of the Oliy Majlis. CEC members are elected by the Legislative Chamber and the Senate on the recommendation of the Jokarghy Kenes of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, regional and Tashkent city Kengash of people’s deputies.

The Chairman of the CEC is elected at the meeting of the commission from among the members of the commission on the recommendation of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The Deputy Chairman of the CEC and the Secretary of the Commission shall be elected from among the members of the Commission at a meeting of the Commission.

The CEC monitors the exercise of citizens’ suffrage and the implementation of the Electoral Code on the territory of the Republic, organizes the process of elections and referendums and controls the financing of elections and the distribution of budget funds.

The CEC conducted 5 presidential elections (2000, 2007 , 2015 , 2016 , 2021), 5 parliamentary elections (1999 , 2004 , 2009 , 2014 , 2019 ) and 1 referendum (2002 ).

Central Election Commission under the Supreme Council (Oliy Majlis)
During its existence, the CEC under the Supreme Council held the following elections and referendums:

On February 18, 1990, elections to the Supreme Soviet of Uzbekistan were held. In 326 out of 500 election constituencies in the country, candidates were nominated for the first time on an alternative basis. According to the results of the first round of elections, 368 candidates received the required number of votes. The second round was held in the remaining 132 election constituencies. In 1990-1994, the elected parliament adopted about 200 laws, more than 500 resolutions, elected the President of the country for the first time in the history of our country, adopted the Declaration of Independence.

The first session of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of Uzbekistan of 12 convocations was held in Tashkent on March 24-31, 1990. On March 24, the law “On the establishment of the post of President of the Uzbek SSR” was adopted. On March 24, 1990, Islam Abduganievich Karimov was elected as a President of Uzbekistan by secret ballot in the Supreme Soviet.

The Supreme Soviet of the USSR decided to hold an All-Union referendum on March 17, 1991, in order to get public opinion on amending the Treaty of Union and renewing the USSR as a Federation of Equally Sovereign Republics. On February 20, 1991, the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of Uzbekistan approved a referendum. Two issues were put to a vote in the referendum. The second ballot reads, “Do you agree that Uzbekistan should remain a member of the Union (Federation) as an independent, equal republic?” was asked. In a referendum on March 17, 1991, 93 percent of eligible voters said “yes”.

Establishment and improvement of the institution of the presidency of Uzbekistan the law “On elections of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan” adopted on November 18, 1991 was of great importance. The law reflects the right of citizens to vote in these areas, the conduct of elections, the nomination and registration of candidates for the presidency, voting and tabulation of results.

The VIII session of the Supreme Soviet of the Republic of Uzbekistan in November 1991 considered the issue of holding a referendum on state independence. At this session, on Sunday, December 29, 1991, decisions were made to hold a referendum on the state independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the election of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

On December 29, 1991, a nationwide referendum was held and 19 million 898 thousand 707 people or 94.1% of those registered voters took part in the referendum and 98.2% voted in favor of Uzbekistan’s independence.

On December 29, 1991, the election of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan was held on an alternative basis. 8,514,316 people voted for candidate Islam Abduganievich Karimov which is 86% of those who took part in the voting. After reviewing the election results, the Central Election Commission made decision that I.A. Karimov elected as a President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on December 29, 1991. At the ninth special session of the Supreme Soviet of the Republic of Uzbekistan in January 1992, President Islam Karimov was sworn in and assumed the presidency.

Uzbekistan is consistently implementing political reforms in accordance with the requirements of the Constitution. On December 28, 1993, at the XIV session of the Supreme Council, the law “On elections to the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan” was adopted.

In May 1994, the Supreme Soviet adopted the Law on Elections to Regional, District and City Councils of people’s deputies. For the elections on December 25, 1994 preparations for the local elections of people’s deputies began. In Tashkent, 30 election constituencies have been formed for the vacant seats in the Supreme Council, and 60 election constituencies have been formed for the elections to the City Council of people’s deputies. In accordance with the calendar plan, 30 election commissions for the elections to the Oliy Majlis and 60 election commissions for the elections to the City Council were established in accordance with the schedule. The commissions consisted 810 people, including representatives of industrial enterprises, public organizations, public education, health workers and neighborhood assemblies.

On December 25, 1994, elections to the Oliy Majlis, regional, city and district councils were scheduled. The necessary conditions have been created for a successful election campaign. On November 14-15, 1994, a three-day seminar for the chairmen of district election commissions for elections to the Oliy Majlis was held in Tashkent. The seminar was attended by UN Resident Coordinator in Uzbekistan Khalid Malik, US Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Uzbekistan Henry Lee Clark, Russian Ambassador F.F. Sidorsky, Turkish Ambassador Erdogan Aytun and others. 250 constituencies and 7,192 polling stations have been set up in the country for the elections. Appropriate measures have been taken within the legal deadlines to ensure that the elections are held on a multi-party and alternative basis. Three candidates out of 135 election constituencies and two candidates out of 106 election constituencies applied for the candidacy. 93.6% of the 17,248,464 registered voters participated in the election. The election lasted three rounds. The second round was held on January 8, 1995, and the third round was held on January 25. On February 23, 1995, the Oliy Majlis held its first session.

On February 23, 1995, the Oliy Majlis decided to hold a referendum on “Extending the term of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan until 2000”. The decision was supported by more than 22,000 meetings held in labor communities and settlements which were attended by more than 6 million citizens. A referendum was held on March 26, 1995. According to the results of the referendum, the term of power of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov was extended from 1997 to 2000.

On April 30, 1998, the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan adopted the Law “On the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan”. According to the law, the Central Election Commission was reorganized as a separate constitutional body. Buritosh Mustafayev was elected the first Chairman of the Central Election Commission.

Electoral legislation
Electoral bodies shall adhere to the principles of legality, collegiality, transparency, independence and fairness. The Republican electoral system is based on democratic principles that ensure that every citizen who has reached the age of 18 before the election day can vote directly. Persons who have been declared legally incompetent by a court or who have been sentenced to imprisonment by a court shall not be eligible to vote.

The only source of state power is the people. In a democratic state governed by the rule of law, people’s power is exercised mainly through representation, that is, through popular elections. Important issues of state importance are submitted for public discussion and put to a referendum.

The main demand of democracy is free and fair elections. Uzbekistan has created electoral legislation in accordance with the standards and requirements of international law, as well as best international practices. In the first year of independence in Uzbekistan laws “On the referendum of the Republic of Uzbekistan” (November 18, 1991) and “On the election of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan” (November 18, 1991) were adopted.

As a result of the adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan on December 8, 1991, the legal framework of the electoral system was strengthened.

“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. Elections are held on the basis of universal, equal and direct suffrage by secret ballot. Citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan who have reached the age of eighteen have the right to vote” – Article 117 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

A number of laws have been adopted on elections and election procedures. “On Elections to the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan” (December 28, 1993), “On Elections to Regional, District and City Councils of people’s deputies” (May 5, 1994) , These include the Law on Guarantees of Citizens’ Voting Rights (May 5, 1994). On June 26, 2019, the “Electoral Code” was adopted and the above documents were declared invalid. Since that time all types of elections and referendums in the territory of the Republic have been conducted in accordance with the Electoral Code.

Chairmen of the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan

 * 1) Gafur Barnoev (1998)
 * 2) Kudratilla Akhmedov (1998-1999)
 * 3) Najmiddin Kamilov (1999-2001)
 * 4) Abdurafik Ahadov (2001-2004)
 * 5) Buritosh Mustafoyev (2004-2005)
 * 6) Mirzo-Ulugʻbek Abdusalomov (2005-2021)
 * 7) Zayniddin Nizomxoʻjayev (2021- untill now)

Members of the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan
As of February 2022, the CEC has 21 members:

1.     Nizamkhodjayev Zayniddin Makhamatovich (Chairman)

2.     Kuchkarov Baxrom Tulkinovich (Deputy chairman)

3.     Mamatov Khudoyor Teshayevich (Head of Secretariat)

4.     Akhmedova Feruzakhon Solijonovna

5.     Babanazarova Marinika

6.     Bazarov Orifjan Shadiyevich

7.     Jurayev Shukhrat Nizamovich

8.     Ibodullayev Adkham Ibodullayevich

9.     Ismailova Gulnoza Saydiganikhodjayeva

10.  Isoqboyev Alisher Akhmadjonovich

11.  Kadirova Muyassar Djumayevna

12.  Kenjayeva Iroda Misirovna

13.  Kurbankulov Suyarjon Masharifovich

14.  Rakhimova Gyulnoza Abdusattarovna

15.  Sirojiddinov Shuhrat Samariddinovich

16.  Usmonqulov Alisher Qodirqulovich

17.  Farmonov Aleksandr Kasimovich

18.   Sherzodxon Qudratxoʻja Tojiddin o’g’li

19.  Yunusov Bakhodirjon Jaloldinovich

20.  Yusupov Ergash Amanbayevich

21.  Qozikhonova Orzigul Mo’ydinovna