Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- At the next meeting of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, the draft Constitutional Law “On introducing amendments and additions to certain legislative acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan, aimed at further improving the procedure for holding elections and referendums” was conceptually considered in the first reading.

In recent years, in order to deepen democratic reforms and modernize the country, large-scale reforms have been carried out aimed at strengthening the role of parliament and political parties, and further improving the procedure for holding elections and referendums.

This document introduces changes and additions to some legislative acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan, providing for the holding of elections of deputies of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis on the basis of a mixed electoral system (majority and proportional), as well as the formation of a centralized system of electoral bodies, optimization of the system of election commissions and improvement of the activities of the Central Election Commission Republic of Uzbekistan.

In particular, it is established that 75 deputies of the Legislative Chamber are elected in single-mandate constituencies using a majoritarian electoral system, and the remaining 75 are elected in a single constituency based on votes cast for political parties in a proportional electoral system (list of candidates). It is provided that candidates for deputies in a single electoral district are nominated by political parties on the basis of a list of candidates.

The system of election commissions will also be improved; it is envisaged that the Central Election Commission, territorial election commissions, district and city election commissions, district and precinct election commissions for elections to the regional and Tashkent city Kengash of people’s deputies will organize the system of election commissions.

In addition, the procedure for determining the results of elections to the Legislative Chamber in a single electoral district and the distribution of deputy seats is being clarified, it is envisaged to reduce the number of members of the Central Election Commission from at least fifteen to nine members, and at least one of its members will be a representative of the Republic of Karakalpakstan. Along with this, new norms are being introduced defining the powers of district and city election commissions. Along with this, it is established that the chairman of the Central Election Commission is elected for a five-year term, and that the same person cannot be elected chairman of the Central Election Commission for more than two consecutive terms.

In addition, the powers of the Central Election Commission, territorial election commissions, district and precinct election commissions are specified, and the rules defining the powers of district and city election commissions are supplemented

The bill provides that the candidate for deputy who receives the most votes than other candidates in single-mandate constituencies is considered elected. That is, it is envisaged that deputies will be elected not by an absolute majority, but by a relative majority.

According to the deputies, as a result of the adoption of the draft Constitutional Law, the legislation on referendums and elections will be brought into line with the Constitution in the new edition, the powers of the Central Election Commission, territorial, district, city election commissions will be clarified, and a legal basis will be created for the introduction of an electoral system based on majoritarian-proportional form of formation of the deputy corps of the Legislative Chamber.

The draft law was adopted by deputies.