Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The mission of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE / ODIHR) to observe the presidential elections in Uzbekistan on 8 October released an interim report for the period from 15 September to 5 October. The document was published on the OSCE website.

The OSCE / ODIHR deployed a Mission to Uzbekistan on 15 September. It consists of 11 specialists based in Tashkent.

Along with this, since 24 September, 28 long-term observers distributed across all regions of Uzbekistan have been meeting with representatives of DECs and PECs, political parties and local authorities.

Based on the results of these meetings, the ODIHR Mission reports on a number of positive aspects of the election campaign in its report. In particular, it is noted that the election authorities comply with all procedural deadlines, that is, all planned events are held in a timely manner on the set dates.

Based on the results of the meetings of ODIHR observers with representatives of public organizations, NGOs and others, the report states that there were no complaints from citizens related to the electoral process. It is stated that there were no complaints from the population to the CEC, territorial electoral or judicial bodies.

Representatives of any political party, media and workers of makhalla citizens’ gatherings have free admission to observe the elections.

The OSCE / ODIHR in its report focused on the media space in Uzbekistan, which is characterized by a large number of state and private media. The mission welcomes the improvement in the media climate that has emerged in recent years.

Over the past four years, fundamental changes have taken place in ensuring freedom of speech. Today the media in Uzbekistan have become the voice of the people and the fourth power. Access to information has been expanded, an opportunity has appeared for critical coverage of certain social and political issues. Critical materials are not left without attention, government bodies analyze them and enter into a dialogue with society. Civil society and democratic institutions provide ample opportunities for the realization of human rights, including freedom of speech.

The OSCE / ODIHR Presidential Election Observation Mission is in Uzbekistan at the invitation of the CEC of Uzbekistan. The mission, led by Irish diplomat Owen Murphy, consists of a core team of 11, based in Tashkent since 14 September, and 28 long-term observers deployed across the country since 24 September. Mission members are recruited from 26 OSCE participating States. An additional 250 short-term observers from OSCE participating States are expected to arrive to observe the voting, vote counting and tabulation.