OREANDA-NEWS. On December 21, Uzbekistan went to elections for the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, as well as regional, district and city Kengashes (Councils) of people’s representatives. 

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov came to polling station 644 to cast his ballot to the lower house of the national parliament and the Tashkent City Kengash of People’s Deputies.

An electoral system guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan has been shaped in our nation during the independence years. The system is being perfected in a steadfast manner.

A bicameral parliament has been functioning in Uzbekistan since 2005. Corresponding amendments and addenda were introduced in 2003 and 2008 to the Constitution, laws on Guarantees of Electoral Rights of Citizens, on Elections to the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, on Elections to Regional, District and City Kengashes of People’s Deputies, and on Elections of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

As a result, a refined legislative base has been formed to secure gradual liberalization of the national electoral system, elections to the bicameral parliament, meeting international norms to a full extent.

Passed on the basis of the Concept of Intensification of Democratic Reforms and Formation of Civil Society in the Country pushed forward by President Islam Karimov, laws have considerably uplifted the role and significance of the Oliy Majlis in the life of the Uzbek society. The introduction of the principle of nominating the prime minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan by the political party that secures the greatest number of deputy seats in the parliament as a result of elections, along with the institution of no-confidence vote to the government has epitomized a new phase in the modernization and democratization of the country.