BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 15. More than 300 citizens of Uzbekistan will vote in Azerbaijan during the parliamentary election in Uzbekistan, the country's ambassador Bakhrom Ashrafkhanov said at a briefing in Baku today, Trend reports.
According to the ambassador, 56 polling stations will operate at Uzbek diplomatic missions abroad.
"A polling station has also been organized in Baku for the citizens of Uzbekistan," the ambassador explained.
He pointed out that early voting for the election will begin on October 16.
"The voting will continue until October 23 and is open to those citizens of Uzbekistan who will not be able to vote on election day - October 27," Ashrafkhanov highlighted.
He also mentioned that the democratic reforms being carried out in Uzbekistan have gained irreversible momentum.
"Equal opportunities, respect for human rights, improving the welfare of the people, and ensuring decent living conditions for the population are priorities of the 'Uzbekistan – 2030' Strategy, identifying among other priorities the protection of human rights, creating favorable conditions for the realization of every individual's potential, reducing poverty, ensuring the welfare of the population, strengthening the role of civil society, combating corruption, and sustainable environmental development," the diplomat said.
Besides, according to him, the upcoming parliamentary election in Uzbekistan will be held for the first time based on a mixed electoral system.
"In this system, electoral districts are divided into single-member districts and a single electoral district. For example, 75 deputies of the lower house of parliament will be elected from single-member districts using a majoritarian system (voting for a candidate), while the remaining 75 will be elected proportionally, based on votes cast for political parties (party lists).
The transition to a mixed electoral system to enhance the role of political parties was proposed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev during a meeting with MPs following the referendum on the new version of the Constitution of Uzbekistan," said the ambassador.
He noted that the election campaign in Uzbekistan is in full swing.
"Representatives of the five main political forces in the country are competing for seats in the Legislative Chamber, regional, and local councils: the Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan, the Democratic Party of Uzbekistan 'Milliy Tiklanish', the Social Democratic Party 'Adolat,' the People's Democratic Party of Uzbekistan, and the Ecological Party," Ashrafkhanov also said.
He pointed out that the number of female candidates has increased. According to changes in the Electoral Code, women must now make up at least 40 percent (up from the previous 30 percent) of the candidates nominated by political parties.
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