Azernews.Az

By Laman Sadigova

Uzbekistan is preparing to hold its next presidential elections scheduled for March 29.

Candidates for the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan have registered from the People’s Democratic Party of Uzbekistan ( Khotamjon Ketmonov), the Democratic Party of Uzbekistan “Milly Tiklanish” (Akmal Saidov), the Movement of Entrepreneurs and Businessmen – Liberal-Democratic Party of Uzbekistan (Islam Karimov) and the Social-democratic party “Adolat” (Narimon Umarov), according to the Election Commission of Uzbekistan.

Candidates are given equal opportunities to familiarize voters with their election programs through electronic and print media, as well as by organizing meetings with voters in all 14 constituencies.

The elections will be monitored by both local and foreign observers and authoritative international organizations.

The presidential elections will be observed by more than 300 foreign observers, the Central Elections Commission said.

The long-term mission team of observers from the Commonwealth of Independent States arrived in Uzbekistan to observe the pre-election preparations. The observers will have a mandate granting them a right to participate in all preparations during the process, as well as allowing them to be present in the vote counting at polling stations on Election Day.

Meanwhile, a 11-member observer mission of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights visited the election headquarters of Uzbek presidential candidates. The mission aims to analyze the elections for compliance with democratic election standards and national legislation, compliance with OSCE commitments and other international obligations. ODIHR observers are also working in the country’s regions, where they meet representatives of political parties, members of the district and precinct election commissions.

One of the main criticisms of the elections in Uzbekistan from observers at the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the main watchdog in the region, is the lack of competition -- the tendency observed in all Central Asia countries.

Islam Karimov, the incumbent president of Uzbekistan, has been in charge since Soviet times and is one of the longest serving leaders in the world.

The political decision of parties participating in the elections was quite surprising, as the Liberal Democratic Party and the Democratic Party Milliy Tiklanish (National Revival) decided to form a "block of democratic forces"

This action was explained as a way "to underline modernization and society's democratic renewal". Perhaps, the combination of these two creates an imposing alliance, but they also retain the right to act in accordance with their own program goals and objectives.

In the same day, People's Democratic Party and the Social Democratic Party Adolat have united to act as opposition to the Bloc of Democratic Forces.

The main objectives of the Democratic Forces Block include the initiation and promotion of laws needed to modernize Uzbekistan, protect the rights and freedoms of individuals, to preserve national traditions and values.

Otherwise, Uzbekistan is united in blocks of four parliamentary factions on the eve of the presidential elections.

The elections on March 29 will show which faction prevails.

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