(MENAFN- AzerNews) by mehmood ul hassan khan
The Republic of Uzbekistan has once again taken the decisive
“lead” in introducing“pure” and“genuine” reforms of further
“politicization” and“democratization” in the Central Asia Region.
The successful holding and approval of the referendum held on April
30, 2023 has opened a new chapter and concept of“interactive” and
“integrative”“People's Democracy” and“People's Friendly”
constitution in the country and beyond. Thus people's supremacy has
been established with“clear-cut” majority vote of 90.21% as a
result of the referendum in which 84.54% of the people
participated. Therefore noble political science concept of
“Political Populism” has been reinforced.
Uzbekistan President Shevket Mirziyoyev after the meeting with
members of parliament decided to hold early presidential election
in the country on July 9, 2023. It is indeed a bold political step
which will further enhance spirit of“political diversity”,
“democratic norms” and“rule of law” in Uzbekistan. Actually, it
has successfully“blasted” the false, fake, fictional and
fabricated western propaganda about the referendum by labeling it
president's centric. In accordance with the incumbent President's
“voluntary decision” of holding of snap presidential elections, the
Uzbek Central Election Commission announced the start of the
presidential election campaign in the country. For easy and smooth
electioneering it planned to create constituencies by May 15 and
polling stations by May 25. Single electronic lists of voters will
be compiled.
In this regard, all political parties will need to apply to the
EEC with an application within three days from the date of the
announcement of the election campaign to register their authorized
representatives. To participate in the elections, parties must
submit documents by May 15. The nomination of candidates will take
place from 17 May to 01 June. The OSCE Office for Democratic
Institutions and Human Rights interim report has once again tried
to“malign” the results of Uzbek referendum by intentionally
terming it lack of genuine political pluralism and competition. It
is completely“irrelevant” and out of the context because
referendum was approved by the“majority vote” of 84.54 percent
which vividly reflected“real populism” along with free will and
political freedom of the voters. Thus OSCE high claims of absence
of any populism and competition do not have any substance.
Moreover, the OSCE findings that the referendum lacked open
debate on some contentious issues having no organized opposition to
amendments and no alternative political views, respect of
fundamental freedoms and provide opportunities for an independent
civil society to develop. It is totally“one sided” observation
which has nothing to do with the reality. In fact, adoption of
referendum was a“lengthy”,“interactive”,“integrated” and
“coordinated” process in which the general public made 222,715
suggestions vividly reflected“massive participation” of the public
in political processes. A draft was created that increased the
constitutional articles from 128 to 155 and the norms from 275 to
434, and the draft was submitted for public approval and
subsequently remained under consideration for many months. More
than two-thirds of the Constitution has been redrafted and
ultimately promulgated.
According to OSCE interim report the referendum lacked the rules
covering campaigning, campaign finance, impartial information for
voters, the involvement by public authorities in the campaign, and
the need for balanced media coverage. It is again not“true” and
“factually incorrect”. There has been systematic mechanism to check
all the SOPs at every stage of the electioneering especially with
reference to financial support. The Chief Election Commission and
its entire organization remained“impartial”,“honest” and
“accessible” to all the public and other stakeholders and
successfully conducted a“fair”,“free” and“transparent”
referendum in the country. The CEC maintained utmost“constructive
neutrality” and preserved true spirits of checks & balances and
separation of powers doctrine during the referendum.
The OSCE is“absolutely unfair” to hold that proposed changes in
the Constitution was a single package which meant that voters did
not have the opportunity to make a choice on each separate issue.
It was indeed a“holistic” and“comprehensive” constitutional
package comprising all aspects of politicization and
democratization, protection and provision of basic human rights and
basic necessities of life, social and secularism, rule of the law,
good governance, overhauling in the parliamentary democracy
converting into people's democracy, responsive state and last but
not the least, socio-economic prosperity. The OSCE crossed all
limits of“partiality” by pinpointing cases of so-called ballot box
stuffing undermining the integrity of the proceedings as a whole.
There was not such a“single” incident was reported by any
international observer or media journalist however, the so-called
“crystal ball” of the OSCE tried to create fake virtual reality and
thus ultimately“compromised” its own“repute” and“electoral
judgment”.
Last but not the least, the OSCE interim report upheld that
blurring distinction between party and state did not stand for real
competition. It has been a“massive national drive” to introduce
new amendments in the constitution in which general masses, NGOs,
civil society, political parties, experts, scholars, media and
representatives of parliament“rigorously” participated and
resultantly it was approved by the majority vote on 30 April 2023.
To conclude, the Republic of Uzbekistan has become“pioneer” of
real political transformation,“stimulator” of socio-economic
prosperity and“gearing machine” of achieving the desired goals of
people's democracy and series of structural reforms in the country
and beyond.
Real process of further politicization and democratization has
been promulgated in the“New Constitution of Uzbekistan”. The
provision and protection of basic human rights and necessities of
life has been“guaranteed” in the referendum. The new concept of
“Society, System and State” has been approved and become the part
and parcel of the new constitution which is indeed a good omen. The
“secular and social state” doctrine has been included in the
Constitution of Uzbekistan. Furthermore, the doctrine of the“free
market system” has been further strengthened leading the Uzbek
people towards a“prosperous” future and“qualitative” life. The
transfer of the powers of the President to the Parliament has been
institutionalized and thus established a“New Uzbekistan” in term
of governance, social responsibility, social justice and political
diversity in the country.
Obviously, New Uzbekistan has established a“New Social
Contract” in the country which will create numerous socio-economic
and political dividends in the days to come. It seems that
Uzbekistan has successfully started its“Third Renaissance” under
the visionary leadership of President Shevket Mirziyoyev.
Undoubtedly, the referendum has created New Uzbekistan in which
“New Public Policy” comprising of the rule of law, human rights and
freedoms has been constitutionally guaranteed. Social reform,
social development, social justice, social diversity, and social
harmony has become one of the“strategic priorities” of New
Uzbekistan which will be further strengthened after the holding of
early presidential elections on 09 July 2023. Interestingly
education, health and the full development of the family by the
state is constitutionally strengthened.
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