TASHKENT: Voter turnout in Uzbekistan’s parliamentary elections reached 29.58 percent by mid-morning, as reported by the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Uzbekistan. The elections, which opened polling stations at 8:00 AM (GMT+5), have drawn considerable participation from the electorate, with 5.9 million of the estimated 19.9 million eligible voters casting their ballots by 11:00 AM.

According to Trend News Agency, the elections are being conducted to fill seats in the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, as well as local kengashes of people’s deputies. The polls will remain open until 8:00 PM (GMT+5), with preliminary results anticipated on October 28. Five political parties are participating, including the Movement of Entrepreneurs and Businessmen – Uzbekistan Liberal Democratic Party, Democratic Party “Milliy Tiklanish,” Ecological Party, People’s Democratic Party, and Social Democratic Party “Adolat.”

The elections are notable for being held under a mixed electoral system, a result of recent con
stitutional and legislative updates. This system allows for half of the 150 members of the Legislative Chamber to be elected in single-mandate constituencies using a majoritarian system, while the other half are elected through proportional representation with party lists.

The election process has been fully digitalized with the implementation of the “E-Saylov” information system. Additionally, the electoral process is being monitored by over 850 foreign and international observers, including missions from the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and the Organization of Turkic States.