TEHRAN (Iran News) –On April 30, 2023, people in the Republic of Uzbekistan by casting votes for renewing the constitution opened a new chapter in the country’s history since its independence in 1991 and the country by its renewed Constitution seeks a better and bright future.
More than 85.4% of almost 19.5m eligible voters cast their ballots and 90.21% of them voted in favor of new constitution and only some 9.35% were against it. So with this landslide victory and massive turnout in the polls, Uzbekistan has chosen the path for its future and this Central Asian country seeks a new horizon in domestic and international issues.
The referendum was held in full compliance with international standards and norms, as well as the legislation of Uzbekistan. Each voter had the right to free expression of will. Almost 300 Uzbek and international journalists and reporters covered this important political event in Uzbekistan while many international observers and representatives of international organizations were present in different cities of Uzbekistan to monitor the process of the poll.
Two Iranian journalists plus some lawmakers of Iran’s parliament were in Tashkent to monitor this biggest political event of Uzbekistan.
The chairman of the Central Election Commission Zainiddin Nizamkhojaev hailed the massive turnout of the people in the poll for referendum and said that everything went well and in peace and only some minor violations were detected in the poll stations.
The constitutional Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan Law, which was approved at the referendum on April 30, took effect on May 1, from the day the results of the referendum were announced by the Central Election Commission.
According to the Law, the new Constitution has replaced the December 8, 1992 Constitution of Uzbekistan. The December 8 remains Constitution Day.
If the previous Constitution had 128 articles, the new one has 155.
The law states that the provisions of the Constitution from the moment it takes effect “act directly and regardless of the adoption or existence of relevant laws and other regulations.”
The country’s president Shavkat Mirziyoyev first announced plans for amending the constitution in November 2021, after being reelected for his second and final term under the previous constitution. The draft of a new constitution was published in June 2022 with plans to hold a referendum at the end of 2022.
Uzbekistan is becoming a large country, with more than half of its population consisting of young people and the new constitution is focused on meeting the demands of Uzbek people especially the young generation.
The reforms will become the most important additions and updates to Uzbekistan’s Constitution since its initial ratification in 1992.
The new reforms will establish Uzbekistan as a sovereign, democratic, legal, social and secular state with a republican form of state.
Human rights issue is one of the top reforms in the new constitution as the amendment will guarantee the presumption of innocence for all suspects and legal defendants; enable them to exercise the right to remain silent. The new constitution also prohibits the death penalty in accordance with international human rights principles.
The reforms will support Uzbekistan’s growing economy and it guarantees a competitive national economy, and private entrepreneurship and poverty rights will be strengthened.
The new constitution also sees reforms in the legislative, government and judiciary issues and the powers of the parliamentary chambers are being revised and we will see some changes in the Senate as the number of senators will be reduced from 100 to 65.
By the way the reforms will affect the cabinet of ministers who are significantly strengthened by intensifying its responsibilities to the president and Oliy Majlis (parliament).
Accordingly Uzbekistan strives to strengthen and develop friendly relations with the world community, primarily with neighboring states based on cooperation, mutual support, peace and harmony.
Now Uzbek people and even people in the world expect a reformed Uzbekistan as the people with their landslide voting paved the ground of President Mirziyoyev to continue reforms for the better future of the country.
During the referendum one could see enthusiasm among Uzbek people in the poll stations which showed that they seek a real and drastic change and reform in many fields like employment, economy, social welfare, human rights and freedom of expression that the new constitution will meet their demands.
Of course the countdown has begun for the new horizon and prosperity of Uzbekistan in all fields and this is now up to the officials to implement the reforms thoroughly.
