In accordance with articles 96, 117 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as Article 8 of the Law “On elections of the President of Uzbekistan”, Articles 5 and 9 of the Law “On the central election commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan” the decision on the appointing the election day of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on December 4 of this year was adopted. In addition, on 21 September 2016 the CEC and the National TV and Radio Company of Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan National news agency, Information Agency “Jahon”, the National Association of Electronic Mass Media, Information Agency “Uzreport” signed a bilateral agreement on the coverage of the preparation and conduct of elections of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

According to the Constitution, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan is the head of state and ensures the concerted functioning and interaction of bodies of state power. Citizen of Uzbekistan not younger than 35 years old, fluent in the state language and who has permanently resided in Uzbekistan not less than 10 years before the election, may be The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan,

Political parties have the right to nominate candidates for the presidency, provided that the party was registered with the Ministry of Justice no later than 6 months before the election’s campaign commencement. Nomination of candidates begins in sixty-five days before the election and ends in forty-five days before the election.

Political parties have the right to nominate only one candidate for the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The process begins with the submission of the application head of a political party to the CEC, the request for registration of the candidate is considered by the commission. In accordance with article 24 of the Law “On elections of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan” the following documents shall be submitted besides of the application:

- The decision of the supreme body of the political party on the nomination of the candidate;

- Minutes of the meeting of the supreme body of the political party, where the surname, name and patronymic of the Republic of Uzbekistan presidential candidate, date of birth, profession, position (occupation), place of work and residence, party membership are shown;

- Statement by the presidential candidate of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the consent to run;

- Signature sheets in support of the nominated candidate.

           

Petitions submitted by a political party shall contain the signatures of at least 1% of the total number of voters in Uzbekistan, representing not less than 8 administrative-territorial formations. In one administrative-territorial unit (Republic of Karakalpakstan, region, Tashkent city), a political party may collect no more than 8% of the signatures of the total voters’ number. Registration of candidates ends for thirty-five days before the election.

To date, political parties have already nominated 4 candidates. In particular, “NarimonUmarov was nominated from the Social democratic party “Adolat”, Shavkat Mirziyoev – from the Liberal democratic party, Sarwar  Otamuradov – from “Milly Tiklanish” and Hotamzhon Ketmonov – from the People's democratic party of Uzbekistan. The nominated candidates will be approved at the party congress, which will take place in October 2016.

According to Article 28 of the Law “On elections of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan”: “the election campaign begins from the day of registration by Central election commission candidates for the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan”. Candidates shall have equal rights to use the media, meetings and meetings with voters.

The Central election commission approves the form and text of the ballot paper. The ballot paper shall include the presidential candidates in alphabetical order, indicating the name, surname, patronymic, date of birth, position (occupation) and place of work.Voting is conducted on election day from 6 am to 20 pm.

Ballots are filled in the voting booth or room for secret voting. When filling out the ballots the presence of someone else is prohibited, except for the voter. A voter who is unable to fill in the ballot, has the right of voluntary inviting another person into the booth or room, except for the members of the election commission, observers and candidates' proxies.

The President of Uzbekistan shall assume office upon taking the oath at the Oliy Majlis session not later than two months from the date of the official announcement of the election results by the Central election commission.

            Nigora Saidova,

Senior specialist of Fergana

regional department of IIMFCS