Number of Polling Stations with Video Surveillance to Double at Referendum in Uzbekistan

IPA CIS Observers, headed by Secretary General of the IPA CIS Council Dmitriy Kobitskiy, discussed the preparations for the referendum in Uzbekistan with Head of the CEC of the Republic of Uzbekistan Zainiddin Nizamkhodzhayev. The meeting was held online as part of long-term monitoring.

Dmitriy Kobitskiy told that the formation of the IPA CIS Observer Mission at the referendum in Uzbekistan has been completed. It includes IPA CIS MPs and officials, as well as IPA CIS IIMDD experts. Moreover, Dmitriy Kobitskiy said that Chair of the Standing Committee of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus for Foreign Affairs and National Security Sergei Rachkov has been appointed coordinator of the IPA CIS Observer Mission.

Zainiddin Nizamkhodzhayev spoke in detail about the preparations for the referendum. He reported that to date, 10 758 polling stations had been formed, 117 000 people work in the commissions, including 49% of women, more than 15% of young people and 5% of people with disabilities. A group of trainers had been organized to train members of district commissions. A call center is open for voters, which received up to 100 questions daily. The form and description of the ballots had been approved.

In the conversation with representatives of the referendum administration bodies, the observers discussed the participation of parties, campaign financing and interaction with the media.

On 19 April, early voting begins in the Republic, which will last until 26 April. According to the CEC representatives, all polling stations are ready for it.

The constitutional referendum in Uzbekistan is scheduled for 30 April. In the case of approval by citizens, the number of articles in the Constitution will increase from the current 128 to 155.