Presidential Election, 29 March 2015

Press Conference

In accordance with its mandate, the OSCE/ODIHR deployed a Limited Election Observation Mission (LEOM) for this election. Given that a previous election observation activity has taken place within twelve months, the OSCE/ODIHR deployed a mission of a similar format to the one deployed for the 2014 parliamentary elections.

Long-term Observation

The OSCE/ODIHR LEOM, headed by Tana de Zulueta, began work on 23 February. The LEOM has a core team of 11 international staff at the head office in Tashkent, drawn from 10 OSCE participating States. Ten long-term observers are expected to arrive in the country by 27 February and will be deployed in teams of two throughout the regions.

In the course of its work, the OSCE/ODIHR will assess these elections for compliance with OSCE commitments and other international obligations and standards for democratic elections, as well as national legislation. Observers will follow campaign activities, the work of the election administration and relevant state bodies, and implementation of the legislative framework. As part of the observation, the LEOM will conduct comprehensive monitoring of the media.

Previous Elections

ODIHR has observed five elections in Uzbekistan since 1999, most recently the 2014 parliamentary elections. ODIHR concluded that the 21 December 2014 parliamentary elections in the Republic of Uzbekistan “were competently administered but lacked genuine electoral competition and debate.”

ODIHR has also issued a joint opinion on Draft Amendments and Addenda to the Law “On Elections to the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan” and “On Elections to the Regional, District and City Councils (Kengesh) of People’s Deputies of Uzbekistan”, together with the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe.