Early presidential elections in Uzbekistan will be held on 9 July 2023. The corresponding decree was signed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev
President Mirziyoyev announced the conduct of early presidential elections during a meeting with the heads of the two chambers of Parliament, political party leaders, judicial and executive officials, and members of the public on Monday, 8 May.
He explained that he was giving up the remaining three and a half years of the presidential term for the following reasons:
“Firstly, all the branches of power are being reformed, relations and the balance between them are seriously changing;
Secondly, the updated Constitution puts forward urgent, new political and socio-economic tasks for the President, Parliament, Government, ministers, governors;
Thirdly, the people are waiting for extremely important and urgent transformations and reforms in all spheres;
Fourthly, at present, when complex processes are taking place in the world and in the region, tensions are growing, the search and implementation of the right and effective way of development are becoming the most acute and urgent issue.”
“For the successful implementation of such large-scale tasks, it is advisable that in the updated system of state power, our people give a mandate to a leader they trust,” Mirziyoyev stressed.
The right of the President to call early elections is fixed in article 128 of the new version of the Constitution of Uzbekistan, which was adopted as a result of a national referendum on 30 April and entered into force on 1 May.
The text of the new Constitution is available here: https://lex.uz/docs/6445147
The amendments flowing from the new Constitution were also made to the current electoral legislation.
Earlier, the President of Uzbekistan signed a Constitutional law that amended the country’s Electoral Code to include a provision for holding early presidential elections if announced by the President.
“When the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan appoints early elections of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, elections are held within two months in full compliance with this Code. At the same time, the deadlines for the implementation of measures for the preparation and conduct of elections are set by the Central Election Commission,” reads the updated Article 66 of the Electoral Code.
“The elections will be held in full compliance with the law, openly and transparently. I am sure that political parties, presidential candidates will put forward new ideas and initiatives that will serve the peace and prosperity of the country, the growth of the welfare of the people,” President Mirziyoyev said. ///nCa, 9 May 2023