Following the 2023 constitutional referendum and early presidential election in Uzbekistan, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) has published final reports with recommendations to assist the country in bringing its electoral process closer in line with international standards for democratic elections.
The 9 July early presidential election was technically well prepared but took place in a political environment lacking genuine competition, ODIHR's report states. Ongoing reforms provided some improvements in line with previous ODIHR recommendations, but more extensive changes are needed to provide a good legal basis to hold democratic elections. The low-key campaign lacked meaningful engagement with voters, and candidates did not voice alternative political views. Election day itself was calm, but serious irregularities were observed, and important safeguards were often not followed during voting, counting and tabulation.
The 30 April constitutional referendum was technically well prepared, but the process lacked genuine political pluralism, says ODIHR's report. The Central Election Commission carried out its tasks efficiently, but the lower-level commissions was neither neutral nor independent. The authorities organized an extensive voter information campaign on referendum day procedures and promoted some recent amendments, but the media did not provide impartial and balanced information, undermining voters' ability to make an informed choice. In the polling stations visited, the voting process was calm, but serious violations were observed during voting and counting.
Key recommendations from both reports include:
- Reviewing the legal framework on the fundamental freedoms of association, peaceful assembly and expression;
- Revising legislative and administrative requirements for the registration of political parties;
- Replacing criminal sanction for defamation with civil remedies in line with international standards;
- Limiting additions to the voter list on election day and ensuring effective safeguards against multiple voting;
- Revising nomination and appointment of election administration staff to ensure their independence;
- Ensuring that any restrictions to social networks and websites are transparent, clearly defined by law, subject to judicial oversight and conform to the strict tests of necessity and proportionality;
- Amending legislation to allow for citizen election observation by independent non-governmental civil society organizations;
- Taking measures to ensure that all votes are counted and reported accurately and honestly.
ODIHR deployed a Limited Referendum Observation Mission on 28 March 2023 to observe the constitutional referendum, and an Election Observation Mission on 8 June 2023 to follow the early presidential election. All 57 participating States across the OSCE region have formally committed to following up promptly on ODIHR's election assessments and recommendations.
