TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, October 27. The strong participation of an Azerbaijani delegation in Uzbekistan’s parliamentary election underscores the close ties between the two nations, Chairman of Azerbaijan's Central Election Commission (CEC) Mazahir Panahov told Trend.
"The Uzbek side also deeply values this," Panahov said. "During my meeting with Uzbekistan's Central Election Commission Chairman Zayniddin Nizamkhodjaev, he expressed that 'Azerbaijan is our closest and dearest brother.'"
Panahov commended the organization of Uzbekistan’s parliamentary election, adding that conversations with observers revealed no issues. "Overall, the election is being held in a peaceful atmosphere," he concluded.
To note, polling stations have opened in Uzbekistan for election to the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis (parliament) of the country and to local kengashes (councils) of people's deputies on October 27.Polling stations are open from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM (GMT+5), with preliminary results expected on October 28.
Five parties are participating in the elections: the Movement of Entrepreneurs and Businessmen – Uzbekistan Liberal Democratic Party, Democratic Party "Milliy Tiklanish," Ecological Party, People’s Democratic Party, and Social Democratic Party "Adolat."
This year's elections are being held according to a mixed electoral system in line with the updated Constitution and national electoral legislation. This system provides for 75 members of the Legislative Chamber to be elected in single-mandate constituencies using majoritarian electoral system, while the remaining 75 members will be elected using the proportional representation electoral system with party lists.
Another notable aspect of this year's elections is the full digitalization of the process through the "E-Saylov" information system.
Over 850 foreign and international observers, including missions from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), are monitoring the election process.