Uzbekistan issues series of postage stamps to commemorate 25th anniversary of independence

Posted on May 17, 2016 
Ahead of Elections

The institution of citizens’ self-government, mahalla, has been drawing keen interest of the international community as an important participant in the enhancement of democratic processes in Uzbekistan and a model sample of a robust civil society. The faculty of Shanghai International Studies University have been carefully studying this unique system that incorporated the rich historical experience of the Uzbek people.
In May-June, elections of chairpersons of citizens’ assemblies and their advisers are underway in Uzbekistan. The Shanghai University website has published an article narrating this topic. The piece notes that during independence years, Uzbekistan established a system of organizational and legal safeguards to ensure the participation of citizens in public administration, independent solution of local issues through a democratic institution of mahalla. The article reports that many of the functions previously performed by the public and management authorities have gradually transferred to the mahallas. “They make a real contribution to the development of the country through the implementation of state programs for targeted social assistance to the population, for the support of private entrepreneurship and family businesses, for uplifting the welfare of local residents by promoting employment, for bolstering the basic unit of society, for nurturing comprehensively advanced generation,” writes the author.
On the topic of the election, the site provides information on the decision taken by the Kengash (Council) of the Senate of Uzbekistan’s Oliy Majlis “On preparations and organization of elections of chairpersons (aksakals) of citizens’ assemblies and their advisers”, signed into resolution on March 5, 2016. In accordance with the document, May-June this year are determined as the time of next elections to these bodies. It is expected that as a result, 9,764 aksakals and over 99 thousand their advisers will be elected. Approved and implemented is an action plan for the organization and conduct of this important event”, reports the material. The author points out that an important role in this process is played by a special committee to assist the conduct of elections, organized in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, all regions, the capital city, towns and districts. They ensure the implementation of the electoral legislation and coordinate the activities of institutions involved in the process, receive documents on the candidates from them, and carry out explanatory works among the population.
In conclusion, the article emphasizes that the practice of previous years shows that the election of the leadership of citizens’ assemblies have turned into a genuine democracy school, raising legal awareness and political and law culture of the population to a new level. “There is no doubt that the upcoming vote for the elders and their councilors will be organized at a high organizational and legislative level, and the results will serve to further strengthen the position of the mahalla within the institutions of civil society system, and consistently implement the principle “From a strong state to strong civil society”, sums up the university web-site.