Strengthening Representative Bodies in Uzbekistan: Paving the Way for Democratic Elections and Effective Governance

The dawn of the upcoming parliamentary election cycle in Uzbekistan is a momentous occasion, marking a significant milestone in our journey towards robust democratic governance. The recent meticulously designed and implemented constitutional reforms are set to transform the landscape of our political and administrative systems. These reforms are not mere adjustments but a profound reconfiguration aimed at enhancing the powers of representative bodies, ensuring transparent and democratic elections, and fostering inclusivity and gender equality.

Context of the Elections

As we approach the upcoming parliamentary elections, it is crucial to acknowledge the strengthened roles of parliamentarians and local representative bodies, as enshrined in Uzbekistan's updated Constitution. These systematic reforms not only empower citizens to play a more active and influential role in governance but also invite them to participate, leading to increased public interest and heightened competition for parliamentary positions.

Rising Interest in Parliamentary Roles

The enhanced powers of deputies have resulted in a surge in the desire to serve as a deputy. These positions' increased responsibilities and influence have made them more attractive, creating a vibrant and dynamic competition among citizens for seats in parliament and local councils (Kengash).

Political Parties and Competitiveness

The increased powers of deputies have intensified competition among political parties. In response, parties are now more focused than ever on fielding the most skilled and deserving candidates. This commitment to nominating the most qualified individuals is not just a strategic move but a testament to the dedication and seriousness with which Uzbekistan approaches the effective functioning of its parliamentary system, especially given the strengthened parliamentary oversight over the executive branch.

As a political party member, I observe firsthand that parties actively seek the most respected and professional individuals from various professions and communities for nomination. These nominations, often from active and esteemed local council members, highlight the high standards and integrity of political parties. The diversity of nominees, representing various backgrounds and professions, underscores the inclusivity and representation of the nomination process, ensuring that every citizen feels represented and included.

Expansion of Local Council Powers

Local councils' powers have significantly expanded, reflecting a broader trend towards decentralisation and increased local governance. This empowerment is critical for fostering a responsive and accountable government, allowing for localised oversight and decision-making that addresses community needs and concerns.

As a member of the Tashkent city council, I have seen these councils become more engaged in decision-making and ensuring the accountability of local public bodies.

Previously, only a limited number of public officials reported to local councils. Now, a significantly more number do so, with the number of public officials reporting to local councils increasing to 60 bodies over 120 matters. This increase is not just in numbers but also in diversity, with heads of prosecutors and police officers, among many others, regularly reporting on their activities to the local councils. This diverse group of officials brings various perspectives and expertise to the councils, enriching decision-making and ensuring accountability. Alongside this increase in reporting, the scope of the councils' powers has also expanded considerably, growing from less than 20 to more than 120.

As a result, if almost all the prosecutors' requests to lift deputies' immunity were satisfied in the past, now local parliaments only sometimes support prosecutors' requests and already rejected 40 per cent of those requests. This practice indicates that local parliaments have become more independent and make decisions collectively, reassuring the public about the increased accountability of the local parliaments.

This enhancement in local council authority reflects a broader trend towards decentralisation and increased local governance. Empowering local councils is a critical step in fostering a more responsive and accountable government, as it allows for more localised oversight and decision-making that directly addresses the community's needs and concerns.

For instance, local councils now have the authority to decide on essential matters such as establishing and closing state kindergartens and schools, the locations of pollution-causing enterprises, public transport tariffs, and regional zoning changes. These reforms signify a move towards a more decentralised and locally governed system, essential for a democratic and accountable governance structure.

Redistribution of Powers

Over 100 powers will soon be redistributed between local councils and executive authorities to enhance local governance, initiative, and accountability. From 2024 for regional councils and from 2026 for district councils, governors (hokims) and council chairpersons will function independently, ensuring a clear separation of powers at the local level. This reform is crucial for enhancing democratic governance and ensuring that local issues are managed effectively by the appropriate authorities.

Ensuring the Independence of Local Councils

Recent reforms have also further guaranteed that local councils will operate without interference from state executive bodies to guarantee their independence. Legislative tasks will be explicitly defined, ensuring a clear division of responsibilities between local representatives and executive authorities. Importantly, new tasks and functions will only be assigned through laws, not executive initiatives, ensuring a fair and transparent process, balancing their workload and allowing them to focus on more critical issues.

Strengthening Parliamentarism

The recent constitutional changes significantly enhance the powers of our legislative bodies. The Legislative Chamber's absolute powers have increased from 5 to 12, and the Senate's from 14 to 18. This expansion enables greater oversight and control over executive, judicial, law enforcement, and special services, ensuring a clear delineation of responsibilities and eliminating duplication of work between the two chambers.

Unified and Integrated State Power

Our state power system is unified and integrated, meaning reforms in one branch necessitate reforms in others. The redistribution of powers between the Legislative Chamber and Senate is designed to avoid duplication and ensure clear responsibilities. This change includes a more democratic process for appointing the Prime Minister, involving the participation of all political party factions and enhancing government accountability.

Enhanced Parliamentary Oversight

Parliamentary oversight is being strengthened with new powers for joint actions between both parliamentary chambers, including introducing parliamentary investigations as a form of control. The Legislative Chamber will also have the authority to propose the dismissal of unsatisfactory ministers, increasing government accountability.

Judicial and Security Oversight Reforms

The Senate will now elect all members of the High Council of Judges to ensure true judicial independence. Before Presidential appointment, the Senate will review candidates for the General Prosecutor, Head of the Accounts Chamber, and heads of anti-monopoly and anti-corruption agencies. This process ensures that these key officials are qualified and have the Senate's trust and confidence, enhancing transparency and accountability.

Conclusion

The competitive environment and strong political interest within society are driving active participation in the upcoming elections. This heightened engagement underscores the importance of these elections, as recent reforms have transferred significant powers to representative bodies. These elections are pivotal in building a robust parliament, a compact and accountable government, and an independent judiciary, all dedicated to serving the people. By ensuring that local and national governance operates efficiently, transparently, and inclusively, the upcoming parliamentary elections are laying the foundation for a truly democratic and prosperous society, where every citizen's voice is heard and valued. 

By Eldor Tulyakov,

The Executive Director,

Development Strategy Centre (Uzbekistan)