By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo
Tashkent, Uzbekistan—Managing Editor Lee Kap-soo of Diplomacy Journal and UN Journal, visited Uzbekistan to cover 2024 Uzbekistan Parliamentary Elections at the invitation of the Uzbek government through the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Seoul, the Republic of Korea. Lee visited four polling sites in Tashkent and had an interview with voters. –Ed.
“I hope to elect representatives who will work for the development of education in Uzbekistan,” said Xujayeva Muxarram, head of the 142 School.
In an interview with the Diplomacy Journal, Mrs. Xujayeva said at the polling station in the Mirzo-Ulugibek District on Oct. 27, “I want people who are good at what they do and who keep their promises very well. I especially want someone who will make a big contribution to schools and education in the Parliament.”
Asked about the Uzbek Parliament election system, the 53-year-old woman replied, “I like the current election system under which voters can select representatives through both online and paper process. Beginning in this year, we can choose one of the two election systems. In particular, young voters prefer to the online voting system.”
On the women's participation in politics, she replied, “I think that female candidates, in general, keep their promises better than male candidates. So I hope more female candidates will advance into the Parliament this year.”
At the polling station set up at the Tioxmmi Milliy Tadqiqot University, Professor Baxriddin of the university, said, “In this Uzbekistan parliamentary elections, “I hope to elect a good person who will do what many people want. By doing so, I think that the Uzbek democracy system will be developed further.”
Asked about the women's participation in politics, the 39-year-old philosophy professor, said, "I think the gender-equalization is the right way for Uzbekistan to pursue in the future. And we are now going on the right path.”
On the accomplishments of President Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev of the Republic of Uzbekistan, he replied, “One of his accomplishments is the introduction of the online system to this Parliamentary elections this year. And the 2024 election system has improved significantly compared with the previous election systems.”
At the other polling system set up at the International House Tashkent, Ms. Mohinur, Uzbek observer, said, "I became an official observer of the 2024 Parliamentary elections by applying for the open call. I am very proud to be an official observer.”
The 21-year-old lady said, “I would like to see someone who is good at politics, who cares about the people, who understands the problems of the country, and who has a broad perspective on education become a member of parliament.”
As for the women's participation in politics, she said, "It is a natural phenomenon. I hope more female candidates will be selected as members of the Parliament this time.”
At the other polling station established at the Uzbek Milliy Music San'ati Institute, Alimov Satvar, manager of the traditional music art university, said, "As of 11:00 a.m. in the morning, about 30 percent of voters have casted votes. Until evening, I hope that 100 percent of the voters will exercise their voting rights for the development of democracy in Uzbekistan.”
Voting began at 8 a.m. on Oct. 26 and concluded at 8 p.m. Uzbekistan's electoral system is based on a mixed electoral system, with 75 seats of the Parliament coming from local districts and the other half coming from the national vote for each party.
This election is a referendum on President Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev of the Republic of Uzbekistan's series of reforms aimed at shedding the remnants of the Soviet Union.
