COPENHAGEN, 21 October 2024 – Nearly 60 OSCE PA observers from 25 countries are deploying to Uzbekistan for the 27 October parliamentary elections. The OSCE PA has previously observed the country’s latest parliamentary elections in 2019, and the presidential election in 2021.
Special Co-ordinator Azay Guliyev (Azerbaijan) and Head of the OSCE PA delegation Sargis Khandanyan (Armenia)
The Special Co-ordinator and leader of the short-term OSCE observer mission will be Azay Guliyev (Azerbaijan), who serves as the Chair of the General Committee on Economic Affairs, Science, Technology and Environment, and has previously served as Vice-President of the OSCE PA. The Head of the OSCE PA delegation of observers will be Sargis Khandanyan (Armenia), who serves as the Vice-Chair of the General Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions.
Observers will be thoroughly briefed by representatives of the election administration and civil society, candidates, party representatives, and experts on the situation ahead of the elections, before fanning out to several regions of Uzbekistan for election day observation.
"These elections mark a significant moment in Uzbekistan’s democratic development. With the introduction of a new mixed electoral system, following constitutional and electoral reforms, Uzbekistan is navigating substantial changes. Our mission is to ensure that these elections not only reflect the legal framework but also embody the spirit of democratic values," said Special Co-ordinator Guliyev. "As observers, our role is to provide a fair and detailed assessment to ensure the transparency and fairness of the electoral process. We are here to witness this process with impartiality and respect for the will of the Uzbek people."
"As the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly delegation, we are honored to be here in Uzbekistan to observe these important elections," said Head of the OSCE PA delegation Khandanyan. "Our mission here is to work in close collaboration with the OSCE/ODIHR to ensure that these elections adhere to democratic standards. We are closely monitoring whether the elections promote transparency, uphold the integrity of free and fair voting procedures, encourage a fair campaign environment, ensure that media can operate without restriction, and guarantee the accurate reporting of results."
The elections will be assessed against democratic commitments contained in the OSCE’s 1990 Copenhagen Document.
The preliminary findings and conclusions for the elections will be presented at a press conference in Tashkent on 28 October.
For observations on previous elections held in Uzbekistan, please click here.
