Deputy Ambassador Brown, MBE, has welcomed the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights’ (ODIHR) findings on Uzbekistan’s recent parliamentary elections, while acknowledging persistent challenges in the nation’s political transformation.
Electoral Developments and Observations
The October 27, 2024 parliamentary elections marked a crucial shift in Uzbekistan’s electoral system, transitioning from majority voting to a mixed majority and proportional system. ODIHR’s initial assessment revealed a complex picture of progress and limitations.
Central Findings:
- Technical preparation met professional standards
- Political parties granted campaign freedoms
- Significant advancement in gender representation
- Political environment remained restricted
- Limited genuine voter choice
Parliamentary Structure and Voter Engagement
| Category | Statistics |
|---|---|
| Total Population | 35.6 million |
| Registered Voters | ~20 million |
| Previous Turnout (2019) | 67.8% |
| Legislative Chamber Seats | 150 |
| Senate Seats | 100 |
UK-Uzbekistan Cooperation
Deputy Ambassador Brown highlighted strengthening bilateral relations, emphasizing joint initiatives in border security, climate resilience, and media regulation reform.
The UK’s Surrey Police Dog Training Centre’s support for Uzbekistan’s Customs Committee exemplifies practical cooperation between the nations.
“While we acknowledge the technical improvements in electoral processes,” stated Deputy Ambassador Brown, “continued work is needed to ensure voters have genuine political choices and a truly competitive environment.”
Future Developments
The OSCE Project Coordinator’s work continues across three dimensions: border security enhancement, climate change resilience, and media freedom development.
A joint UK-Uzbekistan declaration signals commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation in transport infrastructure and other important sectors.
In Conclusion
Uzbekistan’s recent parliamentary elections marked significant progress in its electoral system, transitioning to a mixed majority and proportional representation.
The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights noted improvements in technical preparation, campaign freedoms and gender representation. However, challenges persist, including restricted political environments and limited genuine voter choice.
Sources: THX News, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office & Deirdre Brown MBE.
