Observers Witness Voting, Speak To People, Laud Elections

As has been reported, the elections of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan were held in Uzbekistan on December 23 this year in line with observance of national election legislation and international democratic norms.

Numerous observers, including those who have particularly arrived from abroad, have participated in the national voting, while visiting the district and precinct election commissions, polling stations, and speaking to the officials and voters.

The local mass media, including the Information Agency “Jahon” has extensively covered the very process of elections both posting its stories on the web and newspapers in various languages, including the Uzbek, Russian, English and Arabic.

Here, the staff of the agency presents comments by some observers who have spoken to the Uzbekistan National News Agency. The comments were posted at the latter’s Russian-language website.

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Zulfikar Ali Kurayshi, President of the “Asian Development Organization”, Pakistan.

“I have attended about 10 polling stations in Andijan Province. It was raining with snow from early morning, but in spite of this the voters took an active part in the voting. It is worth noting that the elections were held on a multiparty basis. The political parties and initiative groups of voters have enjoyed the equal rights and opportunities.

It is the second time I am visiting Uzbekistan. And I have become very impressed of the transformations and enormous work implemented here”.

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Elena Kuzmina, the scientific fellow of the branch of CIS countries of the department for International Economic and Political Research at the Institute of Economics of Academy of Sciences of Russia.

“I have visited several polling stations in Tashkent and Zangiota districts. The voters were very active. All information about candidates has been disseminated. At the polling stations, where we have been to, by 11:00 hours local time almost 50 percent of the registered voters had already realized their constitutional rights.

Presidential elections are the big political event in the life of any country. Activeness of your fellow countrymen has showed that they are not indifferent to the sovereignty of Homeland, its development and the bright future”.

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Alexander Yurevich, the deputy head of department of the CIS Executive Committee.

“I have attended several polling stations. The elections of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan were held active and fair. One could see it at every polling station. The citizens cast votes freely and by way of secret voting. Other international observers that have visited Karakalpakstan and provinces are also confirming this fact.

It is particularly worth noting that the elections were held on a multiparty, alternative basis, by way of direct voting by each citizen. That witnesses about the correspondence of elections to the principles of democracy and international norms”.

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Vyacheslav Kravets, the CIS Observer Mission, Russia.

“The high level of holding the elections has impressed me. Many countries have to learn from Uzbekistan in terms of organization of elections at the high level.

The staff members at the polling stations have worked operatively, accurately and in a cohesive way. We have attended several polling stations and we have noticed no shortcomings in their work”.

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Hamdi Abo Anien, the deputy head of the Trade Chamber, Egypt.

“I have visited numerous polling stations and everywhere I have witnessed that people freely and without any pressure went to vote. Until midday more than half of the citizens cast votes. That witnesses about that the information on pre-election campaign, candidates and their pre-election program has been timely, objectively and honestly brought to the people”.

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Muhammad Talha Mahmud Aryan, the chairman of the Internal Affairs Committee of the Senate of Pakistan.

“I have observed the work of many polling stations in Tashkent Province. By seeing that from the early morning the people went to vote with elated mood I have understood that they had sincerely felt that they were the part of the country’s future. All this testifies to the fact that the democratic principles have been established in your country”.

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Gerhard Kraml, the head of Australian Building Company “Kraml”.

“I have observed the process of elections at four polling stations. All measures in terms of the elections were held within the framework of the Law “On elections of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan”. That stands for the fact that Uzbekistan confidently goes along the path of building the democratic state. It is also worth noting that the youth has taken an active part in the elections”.