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HIT‘s President returns from Uzbek parliamentary election


The Republic of Uzbekistan held parliamentary and local elections on December 22nd . For the very first time the election conducted according to a new Uzbek code, inspired by progressive international standards, to ensure fair, transparent and free elections. About two-thirds out of Uzbekistan’s 20 million registered voters went to the polls for on this historic day.

 

 
One of the steps taken to ensure a fair and democratic process was to create an international observers task force.  Some 870 multi-national observers from 70 countries around the world – the USA, Russia and other European, Asian and African nations – were invited to serve as members of a mission to oversee the electoral process.

 


HIT has developed a strong academic presence in the international arena and enjoys close ties with Europe and Eurasian countries in general, and Uzbekistan in particular.  It is this close level of cooperation that led to Prof. Yakubov’s invitation to be a member of the prestigious election observation mission, one of only seven in the Israeli delegation. 

 


During his official visit to Uzbekistan, Professor Yakubov met with representatives from two academic institutions.  His aim was to strengthen HIT’s collaboration through  student and faculty exchanges, joint research and study programs and other international initiatives. In meetings with academic representatives, Professor Yakubov was astounded and deeply gratified to learn of the high regard in which HIT was held among the Uzbek academe.

 


When Professor Yakubov was asked to share his impressions of the Uzbek parliamentary elections, he replied: “Although the parliament’s 150 seats are divided between five parties — the Liberal Democratic, the Democratic Party of Uzbekistan, the People’s Democratic Party, the Social Democratic Party and the Ecological Movement of Uzbekistan -- each seat is elected personally.  This means that the elected parliamentarian’s first obligation is to the citizens who electedhim or her. 


Most of the candidates where young and dynamic. By law, women must comprise at least 30% of each Party’scandidates, but in some regions, they exceeded this statutory requirement, in some cases reaching 40% and even 60% women. In every polling station, information about the candidates was provided so the voters could make informed decisions and choose wisely. 

 


This is not the first time that HIT’s President Yakubov was asked to serve as an international observer in Uzbek elections:  "It was a great honor to have been invited to be a part of this important mission and to serve Uzbekistan in this very noble capacity.  The process was a testament not only to the profound democratic aspirations of the Uzbek people and nation, but also their commitment to reform an antiquated and undemocratic system.  I spoke with delegates from major countries, like the USA and Russia, and there was a clear consensus that this election was very different than previous ones. More than 500 journalists covered the election.

 

 

Tough questions were asked, with no fear of consequences for criticizing the government. In my opinion, the democratic electoral model employed was exemplary.   In 22 regions (out of150) no candidate received a majority (more than 50% of the votes), and therefore, a second round of elections will be held in those regions The Republic of Uzbekistan is to be commended for setting new groundrules for the advancement of democratic processes and giving their people a voice in their future.


Posted: 30/12/2019