In accordance with constitutional norms and international electoral standards, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan was elected on the basis of periodicity of elections.

This is another practical proof of the Republic of Uzbekistan's commitment to the universally recognized principles of international standards for democratic elections.

The presidential elections of the Republic of Uzbekistan conducted in full compliance with our national electoral legislation, as well as international standards and criteria, the universally recognized democratic principles of openness, transparency, freedom and justice.

First of all, this is a clear evidence of the high-level outcomes and the steady progress in democratic reforms being carried out in our country, as well as the implementation of the tasks set out in the Strategy of Action.

At the same time, it is a great success achieved by the efforts of tens of thousands of our compatriots, who have seized good opportunities and various conditions, mobilized their knowledge, energy, as well as courage to organize the elections at a high level.

It is natural that the main burden of this very honorable and responsible process falls on the election commissions. The election, held on an alternative and real competitive basis between the five political parties and their candidates, has become a clear sign of the strengthening of freedom and democracy in Uzbekistan.

Over the past five years, significant changes have taken place in the national electoral legislation of the country. According to leading international experts, the gradual improvement of electoral legislation and the practice of conducting elections in New Uzbekistan have reached a qualitatively new level.

This presidential election was held for the first time on the basis of the Election Code dd. 2019.

According to the amendments and additions to the electoral legislation made on February 8 and May 31, 2021, the rights and guarantees of participants in the election process, i.e. voters, political parties, election commissions, the mass media and observers, have been significantly expanded. The voting management systems have been further improved through the introduction of modern information technologies.

Election commissions at all levels organized their work in accordance with the requirements of the Election Code in full compliance with the principles of legality, independence, impartiality, honesty, transparency and openness.

Election commissions take the necessary measures to ensure equal conditions for presidential candidates and political parties to conduct the election campaign, the fair distribution of funds allocated for conducting of elections.

The necessary conditions have been created at the polling stations to reliably protect the health of the population in the event of a pandemic, to ensure the safety of voters and other participants in the election process.

I would like to emphasize that despite the fact that it is autumn, on election day in all regions of Uzbekistan by the grace of God, the sun shines, giving our voters a spring mood, high spirits and great confidence. It was an important factor in the active and free voting of citizens in the elections. 

At the same time, such voter turnout is another practical proof of that the election day postponed from snowy-cold December to moderate October, in accordance with amendments made to our national electoral legislation in consultation with our people.

Authoritative international organizations, including the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Commonwealth of Independent States and Interparliamentary Assembly of the CIS Member Nations, the Cooperation Council of Turkic-speaking States and Organization of Islamic Cooperation. In total, about a thousand international observers from about 20 international organizations and about 50 foreign countries, as well as 1,672 representatives of local and foreign mass media directly observed and covered the situation.    

Such a large-scale participation of international observers and the mass media is a record in the history of elections in Uzbekistan.      

In addition, about 64,5 thousand representatives of five political parties and citizens’ self-governing bodies took part in the elections.     

For the first time, millions of people have been able to watch the online broadcast using 414 video cameras installed at 207 polling stations in districts and cities of the country.     

Journalists broadcast radio reports, TV, interviews and reports from thousands of polling stations. Social networks have been shown all over the world through websites.      

During the election campaign, the Press Center of the Central Election Commission and its regional departments created a wide media platform for all the participants in the electoral process. Hundreds of press conferences, briefings, interviews, seminars, meetings were held here. The heads of the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Chairman of the Supreme Court, the General Prosecutor, the Ministers of Internal Affairs, development of information technologies and communications, the chairmen of district election commissions were heard at the events.               

Since the beginning of the election campaign, more than 76,000 articles have been published in foreign and local mass media.    

The adoption and consistent implementation by the Central Election Commission of the program of the main activities for the preparation and conduct of the presidential elections of the Republic of Uzbekistan have played an important role in ensuring the conduct of elections in accordance with the law and at a high organizational level.      

The adoption and consistent implementation by the Central Election Commission of the program of basic measures for the preparation and conduct of elections of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan has played an important role in ensuring the conduct of elections in accordance with the law and at a high organizational level.      

Another feature of this year’s presidential elections is the civic responsibility of our voters as well as a growing sense of involvement in the reforms, which were carried out in our country.

The elections once again demonstrated the growing political thinking, social activism and cultural level of the people of Uzbekistan that we can proudly say as a real condition. After all, elections are an excellent opportunity for every loyal person who loves his nation, his people and his homeland, who thinks about the future of himself and his children.

This is evidenced by the fact that there were more than 80,4% of the more than 20 million registered voters turned out.

It is established the opportunity to all our compatriots living abroad, regardless of whether they are on the consular list or not, to vote at 54 polling stations in 37 countries of the world. Previously, only officially registered citizens of Uzbekistan from consular offices took part in the elections.

Candidates for the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan nominated by political parties received the following number of votes:

Bakhrom Abdukhalimov, candidate from the «Adolat» Social-Democratic Party of Uzbekistan – 3,39%;

Narzullo Oblomurodov, candidate from the Ecological Party of Uzbekistan – 4,14%;

Alisher Kodirov from the «Milliy Tiklanish» Democratic Party of Uzbekistan - 5,48%;

Maksuda Vorisova from the People’s Democratic Party of Uzbekistan – 6,63%;

Shavkat Mirziyoyev, a candidate from the Movement of Entrepreneurs and Business People – the Liberal-Democratic Party of Uzbekistan – 80,12%.

According to the Election Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan, a candidate who receives more than 50 % of the votes cast is considered an elected President.

Based on this information, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, a candidate from the Movement of Entrepreneurs and Businessmen – the Liberal-Democratic Party of Uzbekistan won a landslide victory with 80,12% of the votes and was elected President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Gaining the trust and love of people is the highest prosperity for a person!

The fact that Shavkat Miromonovich was awarded the highest rank and attained the second such blessing as a high assessment of the long-term policy of the tolerant President to ensure the rights and freedoms, safety and well-being of citizens, in a word, to improve human dignity.

This tolerance manifested itself not only during the preparation and conduct of the elections, but also thereafter. Newly elected President wished success to the candidates nominated by other parties in their further activities and stressed the words: «We have mutually competed yesterday, but now we will actively continue combining our aspirations and efforts to the development of our lovely Homeland».

May our New Uzbekistan, recognized as one of the most peaceful, stable and prosperous democracies in the world, never go unnoticed.

Zayniddin NIZAMKHODJAEV,

Chairman of the Central Election Commission

of the Republic of Uzbekistan,

Hero of Uzbekistan

(Source: «Guliston», ed. 5, 2021)