Uzbekistan: Constitutional Referendum held, heavy turn out registered

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited the precinct No 59 in Tashkent’s Mirzo Ulugbek district and voted whereas the Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov along with his family members visited precinct No. 522 in Tashkent’s Yunusabad district and voted

Tashkent, The Gulf Observer: The nation-wide constitutional referendum took place in Uzbekistan on Sunday. The President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, along with his family members visited the referendum precinct No 59 in Tashkent’s Mirzo Ulugbek district and voted whereas the Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov alongwith his family members visited precinct No. 522 in Tashkent’s Yunusabad district and voted. The event was directly observed by 383 international observers from 45 countries and 14 reputable international organizations. In an atmosphere of openness and transparency, the referendum was widely covered by local and foreign media.

It is noteworthy that a draft Constitutional Law “On the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan” has been submitted to a referendum. This process was preceded by a one-and-a-half-year preparatory process. The draft Constitutional Law was published in the media and people’s opinion was studied. More than 220 thousand proposals have been received from the public and on the basis of these proposals, the number of articles in the renewed Constitution has increased from 128 to 155, the number of norms – from 275 to 434. At the same time, the international experience was taken into account, leading specialists and experts from various fields were involved.

The constitution is the legal basis for the stable development and future of Uzbekistan, ensuring human interests. Citizens, deeply aware of this, are actively participating in the referendum.

The voting started at the fixed time and the voters in large number came out of their homes and business establishments to use their voting right for the development, progres , prosperity and more democratic rights. The voters in particular the youth were in the height of their spirits by saying that their votes will definitely and surely put their country on speedy road to progress.

As of 1700 hours 81.39 percent of the registered voters had participated in the referendum

This scribe personally visited a number of polling stations in Tashkent to have the first hand information and talked to the voters including men, women, old people young boys, girls so much so those on wheel chairs. All of them reposed complet confidence in the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and said that this referendum will confidently enhance the stature of their country in the comity of nations.

The turnout at the referendum on the Constitution of Uzbekistan in the new version as of 11:00 was 35.13%. About 6,820,838 people out of 19.4 million citizens took part in the voting.

It should be reminded that there were 10,758 referendum polling stations across the country.

It was noted that 19 million 722 thousand 809 are included in the voter list and by 1.00 pm more than 62 percent of the total number had been able to poll their votes.

The referendum is set on changing articles in the country’s constitution related to human rights and freedoms as well as social and administrative reforms. As of 1500 hours over 14 million registered voters i.e.73.17 percent cast their votes and as of 1700 hours 81.39 percent of the registered voters participated in the referendum.