Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 16 March, a meeting of the Kengash of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan was held. It was conducted by the Chairman of the Senate Tanzila Narbayeva.

In connection with the expiration of the term of office of the chairmen of the citizens’ gatherings, the Kengash Senate, in accordance with Article 105 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the relevant articles of the laws "On self-government bodies of citizens" and "On the election of the chairman (aksakal) of the citizens’ gatherings", adopted a resolution to hold regular elections in May this year chairmen (aksakals) of citizens’ gatherings.

On the basis of this resolution, the Republican Commission was formed to promote the organization and conduct of elections of chairmen (aksakals) of citizens’ gatherings, headed by the Chairman of the Senate. The Action Plan for organizing and holding elections of chairmen (aksakals) of citizens’ gatherings and a sample ballot were approved.

In addition, the tasks are separately defined for the formation in the regions of commissions to facilitate the organization and conduct of elections of chairmen (aksakals) of citizens’ gatherings, to provide comprehensive assistance to citizens’ gatherings in organizing and holding elections, to ensure public order and security during elections, and to effectively organize medical care in places holding elections, monitoring compliance with sanitary and hygienic standards and quarantine rules, as well as wide coverage of the electoral process.

On the same day, the first meeting of the Republican Commission to promote the organization and conduct of elections of chairmen (aksakals) of citizens’ gatherings was held, during which a number of issues on the preparation and conduct of the upcoming elections were discussed.

Chairperson of the Republican Commission Tanzila Narbayeva, noting that more than 9,300 chairmen of citizens’ gatherings are expected to be elected, emphasized that the next elections will be held in a completely new stage of improving the efficiency of the mahalla institution, turning it into the basis of public administration and control, which is defined as priority direction of the Development Strategy of our country.

It was noted that the most important tasks in the preparation and conduct of the upcoming elections are the creation of all the necessary organizational and legal conditions for the full implementation of the constitutional rights of citizens to participate in elections, the widespread involvement of youth and women in the electoral process, ensuring strict compliance by election participants with the requirements of the law, including principles of publicity, alternativeness and equal suffrage.

Publicity is a necessary condition for the fair conduct of any election. In this regard, ensuring openness and transparency in the organization and conduct of elections has been identified as a priority.