Excerpts from report by the Uzbek newspaper 'Khalq Sozi'
[Newspaper headline] Laws are the basis of democratic elections
The 15th session of the first convocation of the Uzbek
Supreme Assembly will open in Tashkent in a few days [19th
August]. The session will consider a number of issues of
political, social, economic and spiritual importance in the
life of our independent motherland and its hard-working people,
including a bill on changes and addenda to the law of the
Republic of Uzbekistan on elections.

Our discussion with the chairman of the Central Electoral
Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Najmiddin Komilov,
was about the importance of that document and the place of
elections in the country's life:

[Komilov] Elections are really considered to be an
important political event in the life of our people and state.
Because the elections are a bright reflection of democracy in
practice and an important factor in implementing human rights.
Under the constitution, every mature citizen of our country has
the right to elect and be elected. This means that every
citizen takes part in governing the state either himself or
through those for whom he voted. It should be said again that
the political activity of our citizens, their awareness of
their own rights and their struggle for them are especially
clearly seen during elections.

There are all conditions in our country, which is building
a law-governed democratic state, to ensure that elections are
held according to the principles of equality, openness and
justice. Of course, I first of all mean the legislation on
elections because our laws fully meet the demands of
international human rights' organizations.

[passage omitted: listing Uzbek laws on elections and
political parties, saying that in many CIS countries there is
not yet any legislation on elections which complicates the
election process]

The laws on elections of the Republic of Uzbekistan are
good first of all for reflecting our peoples historic
traditions and outlook.

Second, these laws clearly and convincingly explain the
features of the transitional period.

Third, with the development of democratic principles in
our society, laws on elections are also being further improved.

[Q] Najmiddin aka [brother, respectful term of address to
older people], the forthcoming Supreme Assembly session is
expected to consider the bill on amendments and addenda to the
legislation on elections. Will you, please dwell on that.

[A] I think, the next session will comprehensively discuss
the bill you have mentioned, opinions will be expressed and
proposals made on it. In short, it is planned that the
forthcoming Supreme Assembly session will reform some points of
the legislation on elections of the Republic of Uzbekistan
which will help ensure that elections in our country are held
according to multiparty principles and expand the opportunities
of political parties operating in our country for their active
participation in the elections.

Another point of the legislation on elections worth
mentioning is that separate action groups of citizens can also
agree to nominate their own candidate. This increases the
rights and role of self-government bodies, including local
neighbourhoods and public organizations. This is an important
feature of true democracy and this opportunity is provided only
by our laws.

The Central Election Commission monitors the performance
of the law on elections in all parts of the country and tries
to create equal opportunities for nominees from all action
groups, political parties and representative bodies of
administrations. But to ensure the efficiency of this work it
is necessary that our citizens are well aware of the existing
laws, know them well and understand all the opportunities
provided. For this it is necessary to carry out broad
propaganda work among the population in the Regions. The
Central Election Commission has planned a series of seminars in
the Regions and the city of Tashkent. Also, it would be useful
to carry out explanatory work about the laws on elections
through the mass media. Of course, the success of the elections
depends on the implementation of democratic principles, a
proper understanding of their duties by citizens and their
political awareness.

Source: 'Khalq Sozi', Tashkent, in Uzbek 14 Aug 99 pp 1,2
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