More than 19 million voters today will cast their votes for Constitutional Reforms Referendum in Uzbekistan today
Historic Day for the people of Uzbekistan to adopt new constitutional reforms.
Polling also being held across all Uzbek Foreign Mission around the world
International Observers from many countries overseeing referendum.
By Ameya Sathaye
Samarkand, April 30 The constitutional reforms aims at bringing more transparency and promises human rights reforms.
The current reforms also aims at abolishing capital punishment and boosting legal protection for citizens. The results of the referendum is expected to be announced on Monday.
The present Constitution which existed since 1992 and with Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev getting elected in year 2016 has steadily moved along the path of large-scale reforms aimed at further development of the country and improving the welfare of the people.
Uzbekistan has abolished more than 300 laws, more than 4000 decisions of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan were adopted, aimed at radical reforming all spheres of life of the state and society.
To adopt new constitutions broad public, political parties, public organizations, representatives of expert and scientific circles, and intellectuals took an active part in the drafting process.
The new version emphasizes that “the Republic of Uzbekistan pursues a peace-loving foreign policy aimed at the full development of bilateral and multilateral relations with states and international organizations,” which will further enhance Uzbekistan.
In November 2021, Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev had talked about the need for constitutional reforms and the present referendum seeks to change two-thirds of the existing laws to vote for a change.
On June 20, 2022, at a meeting with members of the Constitutional Commission, the Uzbekistan President proposed adopting amendments to the Constitution through a referendum
In this process around 2.20 lakhs proposals were received from the public for suggestions to improve the present constitution.
The new provisions of the Constitution provides that the state will assume a number of new obligations to reduce poverty, provide employment and address social issues effectively and guarantees of personal rights and freedoms of citizens in accordance with most advanced international standards.
Under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Uzbekistan has been going through a historical stage of development in recent years Large-scale reforms are being carried out in all spheres of life and significant results are being achieved. The concept of ‘New Uzbekistan’ has been formed in the international community.
In February 2017 the President of Uzbekistan approved the Strategy of actions on five priority areas of the country’s development in 2017-2021, which was successfully implemented in five stages, each of which provided for the approval of a separate annual state program for its implementation.
In 2022 the Development Strategy of New Uzbekistan for 2022-2026 was adopted to identify priority areas of reforms like improving the well-being of people, transforming economic reforms, accelerating the development of entrepreneurship, unconditionally ensuring human rights and interests, and forming an active civil society.
The Consitutional reforms were carried out by Constitutional Commission, which included well-known lawyers, scientists and leading experts from different fields.
The updated Constitution is aimed at creating a strong parliament, a compact and responsible government, as well as an independent and fair judiciary to build a state that serves the people.
The most striking feature of this referendum is that more than 60% of the population is young which will vote. In this regard, the upcoming referendum on the amendments to the Constitution of Uzbekistan will contribute further continuation of large-scale reforms in the country and create a solid foundation for the development of the state and society for the benefit of the present and future generations of Uzbekistan citizens.