SCO Observer Mission: Elections were transparent, democratic and legitimate

The parliamentary elections in Uzbekistan were transparent, credible and democratic. The legitimacy of the elections is beyond doubt.

Such an assessment at a December 23 press conference following the elections was given by the SCO Observer Mission, which monitored the parliamentary elections in Uzbekistan.

SCO Deputy Secretary-General, Head of the Mission Xie Xiaoyong noted that the Mission included 20 observers – representatives of the legislative, executive and electoral bodies of the Organization’s member states, as well as officials of its Secretariat.

Since December 16, the Mission held meetings and negotiations with the leaders of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Central Election Commission of Uzbekistan, with the chairmen, secretaries and members of city, district and precinct election commissions, observers, representatives of political parties and the media.

All conditions were created for monitoring the preparation and conduction of the election process, comprehensive information was given about the election campaign, accredited observers from political parties and the public of the Republic of Uzbekistan and international organizations. The mission, to ensure a representative cut of the electoral process, carried out international monitoring in Tashkent, Tashkent, Namangan, Andijan, Samarkand, Bukhara and Fergana regions.

On the elections day, Mission members visited 495 polling stations, as well as regional and district election authorities. The SCO also monitored the election process at the headquarters of the Mission: 120 cameras in 60 polling stations.

According to SCO observers, voters, including young people, were very active, all conditions for voting were created, and all emerging issues were clarified.

In general, the Mission believes that the elections to the Oliy Majlis met the requirements of the electoral legislation of Uzbekistan. Cases that could affect the election results were not identified by the Mission.

Xie Xiaoyong on behalf of the Mission congratulated the people of Uzbekistan on the completion of the elections in a new format and wished them success in further implementation of the course towards strengthening statehood and socio-economic development.

UzA