TASHKENT: Uzbekistan concluded its parliamentary elections today, marking a significant event as citizens voted for members of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis and local councils of people’s deputies. Polling stations operated from 08:00 to 20:00 (GMT+5), with a reported voter turnout of 71.52% by late afternoon.

According to Trend News Agency, the elections featured 19.944 million registered voters in the country’s automated election management system, supplemented by 165,631 voters registered abroad. The election process was closely observed by more than 850 foreign and international observers, including missions from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and the Organization of Turkic States (OTS).

Five political parties competed in the elections: the Movement of Entrepreneurs and Businessmen – Uzbekistan Liberal Democratic Party, the Democratic Party “Milliy Tiklanish,” the Ecological Party, the People’s Democratic Party, and the Social Demo
cratic Party “Adolat.” This year, the elections were conducted using a mixed electoral system as per the updated Constitution and national electoral laws. This system entailed electing 75 members of the Legislative Chamber through single-mandate constituencies via a majoritarian system, while the remaining 75 members were chosen through proportional representation based on party lists.

A notable feature of this year’s elections was the implementation of complete digitalization through the “E-Saylov” information system, reflecting advancements in the election process and management.