CIS mission embarks on election observation in Uzbekistan
An archive photo
MINSK, 30 September (BelTA) – At the invitation of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the CIS observation mission started monitoring the presidential election in Uzbekistan on 29 September, BelTA learned from the headquarters of the mission.
As agreed with the CIS Council of Permanent Plenipotentiaries in statutory and other bodies of the Commonwealth of Independent States, the mission is headed by Chairman of the CIS Executive Committee Sergei Lebedev.
First Deputy Chairman of the CIS Executive Committee Leonid Anfimov met with Chairman of the Central Election Commission of Uzbekistan Zainiddin Nizomhojaev. The parties discussed the ongoing election campaign and participation of international observers in election monitoring all its stages. Zainiddin Nizomhojaev gave Leonid Anfimov a detailed account of the efforts of the electoral bodies to arrange the presidential election. During the conversation, Zainiddin Nizomhojaev emphasized the importance of the ongoing electoral process and the commitment of Uzbekistan’s authorities to holding a fair and free election.
In turn, Leonid Anfimov noted that the mission’s activities will be based on the electoral legislation of Uzbekistan and generally recognized principles and norms of international law. At the same time, the mission believes that elections are a domestic affair of a state, and its task is to assess the election campaign for its compliance with national legislation.
The CIS observers also met with First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan Farhod Arziev to discuss the course of the election campaign and international observation.
At the same time, Farhod Arziev noted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan will facilitate the work of international observers within the framework of the national legislation. He emphasized that Uzbekistan is determined to hold an open and transparent election in compliance with all the principles of democracy.
The parties also discussed the preparation for the upcoming meetings of the CIS Foreign Ministers Council and the CIS Heads of State Council that will take place in Minsk on 14 and 15 October.