Uzbek Pilgrims To Vote Early As They Set To Offer Hajj

This year the sacred Muslim pilgrimage of Hajj has coincided for the citizens of Uzbekistan with the final stage of presidential pre-election campaign in the country.

This year nearly 5,000 Uzbek citizens are expected to offer pilgrimage to the holy sites in Mecca and Medina, the birthplace of Islam in Saudi Arabia. With a view of enjoying the suffrage as such is secured by the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, in line with the legislation, the pilgrims shall be allowed to vote ahead of the set date – the December 23, 2007.

Such measure fully goes in line with the Law “On elections of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan”. The Article 31 of the Law envisages that the voter, who shall not have an opportunity on the elections day to stay at his/her place of residence, may request with the district polling station the ballot, vote for the candidate for President and leave the filled ballot in a closed envelope with the local polling station.

With an aim to act upon this legislative norm at its November 16 session the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan has resolved on organizing voting for citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan set to offer the Hajj pilgrimage at the presidential elections.

In particular, the resolution foresees that the district election commissions shall organize the early voting by pilgrims at their place of residence. In this, all citizens of Uzbekistan, who travel for Hajj, shall be provided with the election ballots.