Govt ensured transparent arrangement with allied facilities for voters
By Naveed Ahmed Khan
TASHKENT— A nationwide referendum on the draft law ona new constitution was held in Uzbekistan on April 30,2023.All polling stations opened at 8:00 local time in the morning and closed at 20:00 in the evening.It is worth mentioning that representatives of the Central Election Commission(CEC), international media, and independent observers were monitoring the referendum in Uzbekistan.
More than 611,000 citizens voted early in the referendum on amendments to the Constitution.Over 452,000 of them voted in the country, and more than 159,000 people from abroad.A total of 10,758 polling stations were established for voting, 55 of which were located in 39 different foreign countries. About 20 million citizens were expected to participate in the referendum.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has insisted that the overhaul of the constitution will improve governance and quality of life in Uzbekistan.Neighboring Kazakhstan was the first to congratulate the Uzbek leader, with the country’s president, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, saying the result was evidence of trust in his rule and “firm support from the Uzbek nation”.
A vast majority of Uzbekistan’s voters voted “Yes” to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s bid to rewrite the country’s Constitution in referendum that promised more freedoms to the people of the republic.
“90.21% of voters said ‘Yes’ to amendments to the constitution through referendum”
According to the preliminary results announced by the Election Commission on the following Monday, 90.21% of voters supported the changes, while 9.35% voted ‘No’. The turnout was 84.54%.As per the country’s referendum law, at least 50% of the voters should cast their ballots for a referendum to be considered valid. At 1 p.m. on voting day, the Central Election Commission declared that the referendum was valid as voters turned out in large numbers across the country to “choose their future”.
At polling station 517 in the Tashkent Financial Institute, voters of different age groups were seen in small queues at 3 p.m. to exercise their voting right. The booth had over 2,000 registered voters, whose names were published on a notice board. The facilities made available for voters were outstanding including easy access, medical support, sanitation, filtered water, and friendly staff to welcome the voters. The observers have noticed the professionalism of CEC and their resolve to complete the free and fair voting process.
While explaining the process, Mr.UktamNorboyev, the chief of the polling station, said all arrangements were made to make the voting transparent and free.“The votes of this booth will be counted here by the officials and then sent to the Central Commission, which will do the final count”.
On the day of the referendum, different state agencies held back-to-back briefings at the Election Commission press office in Tashkent, detailing the steps taken to ensure a free and fair vote.The results were in line with anticipations as there was no campaign against the proposals made by the President. Uzbekistan has five political parties. All of them were in favor of reforms.
The majority of International election observers declared the transparent and peaceful referendum process.President Mirziyoyev’s narrative was that the new constitution would give special emphasis on human rights, freedoms, gender equality, economic growth, and social prosperity.
“What I like about this referendum is that it’s giving more rights to women,” said DilfuzaOlimova, who teaches translation studies at Bukhara State University. “This is a big move. This is the first time there’s so much talk about women’s rights. This will eventually strengthen democracy in Uzbekistan,” she added.
The new constitution also promises more media freedom in the country. President Mirziyoyev has relaxed the control of Media.“I have seen what censorship is and how it works. The scene is changing in Uzbekistan. And the new constitution is promising more freedoms. Overall, I am positive about the development. Now, a better code is being promised” said BeruniyAlimov, Director, New Media Education Center, a Tashkent-based NGO.
President Mirziyoyev spearheaded a series of changes in Uzbekistan, including a clampdown on forced labour in cotton fields.Uzbekistan now wants to join the World Trade Organization.The constitutional changes also include a ban on capital punishment and the protection of human rights for what President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has called a “New Uzbekistan”.
The majority of observers were satisfied with the referendum process and hopeful for positive change in the coming days in the society where the Uzbek nation can enjoy more socio-economic freedom and access to justice. People voted by anticipating a positive change through the new constitution in the country. In the last few years, there were many vital and positive developments were introduced in Uzbekistan, and President Mirziyoyev was aiming to continue the momentum at a broader scale by amending the constitution. His government extended every possible support to reshape the progressing society with a unique global outlook.
Daily Spokesman congratulates Uzbekistan on the smooth referendum on its new Constitution and believes that under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the people of Uzbekistan will achieve even greater progress on all fronts in the nation’s reform and development efforts.