TASHKENT/DEC. 22 2019 (The Bulletin) — Uzbekistan held the first round of a parliamentary election dubbed by officials as its most free election ever, although observers said that there were violations in the one-sided contest.
Under the slogan “New Uzbekistan – new elections”, a slogan that appeared to be aimed at the watching international audience rather than at ordinary Uzbeks, millions of people voted in the first election since Shavkat Mirziyoyev won a vote in December 2016 to rubber-stamp his coronation as Uzbekistan’s president.
He took over from the repressive Islam Karimov, who died of a heart attack in September 2016, and has focused on opening up the country, economically at least, since.
But, despite the hype around the election, the choice was limited for the 150-seat parliament between five parties that all broadly support Mr Mirziyoyev. Live TV debates between the candidates, a new phenomenon, were staid and scripted.
This was a point acknowledged by the OSCE’s election monitoring unit, ODHIR.
“Improvements to Uzbekistan’s election law and greater acceptance of freedom of expression are to be welcomed, but did not offset the absence of opposition parties, a continuing lack of respect for fundamental rights, and some serious irregularities on election day,” it said in a statement.
Some positive aspects to the election were also highlighted.
Tana de Zulueta, Head of ODIHR’s election observation mission, said: “Independent voices are growing in number and strength, and there is a new sense of freedom. This is very much to be welcomed.”
Mr Mirziyoyev’s version of liberalism has, so far, focused on the economy, freeing up people to trade with neighbouring countries and boosting tourism and construction which has fuelled an economic boom.
Analysts have said that to genuinely transform politics and divest power away from the presidency is a far harder task.
A second round of voting is due next month to complete Uzbekistan’s parliamentary election.
ENDS
— This story was first published in issue 432 of the weekly Bulletin on Dec. 27 2019
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