Referendum for New Constitution in Uzbekistan

Referendum for New Constitution in Uzbekistan

Subject: International Relations

Section: Places I News

Why in News?

Uzbekistan holds referendum on new Constitution that puts human rights at the forefront. In the referendum, the voters would be asked if they support rewriting the Constitution. Constitutions of 190 countries, including that of India, were studied to bring in holistic and comprehensive changes to the Constitution of the country.

What’s in the New Draft Constitution

• The new draft would rewrite over 60% of the current charter.
• Promises more freedoms, better social protection, gender equality, and abolition of death penalty, among others
• Defines Uzbekistan as a sovereign, democratic, rule of law, social and secular state
• All changes are based on the idea that human rights and freedoms are paramount.
• The new charter is believed to better the investment and business environment of the country.
• Constitutional Amendments represent “a transformation of the new Uzbekistan, where once the state came first, now the citizen comes first”.
• Seeks to make Uzbekistan a more social and welfare state where the social protection of the common citizen is enhanced.
• A lot of thought has been given to vulnerable families and people in need of education, medicare, etc.
• There’s greater decentralisation of power.

Critic’s View

If the new Constitution is adopted the presidential term would be extended to seven years with a two consecutive term limit. Mr. Mirziyoyev, whose current term expires in 2026, can serve as President for two more seven year terms. He came to power in 2016 and is currently serving his second term, which is the last under the current Constitution.

About the Referendum

• Uzbekistan’s Constitutional Commission received more than 2, 20,000 proposals from citizens during the drafting process.
• Election Commission of­ficials made all arrangements for a free vote which would be held in the presence of international observers.
• The voting would take place in the presence of the representatives of all five recognized political parties in the country as well as international observers, media and civil society representatives.

What is Referendum?

• Referendum is a procedure whereby a proposed legislation is referred to the electorate for settlement by their direct votes.
• Politically, referendums are a tool for the expression of direct democracy.
• In modern times, most referendums are seen in the perspective of representative democracy.

About Uzbekistan

• Uzbekistan is a landlocked Central Asian country of 35 million population.
• Became independent in 1991 following the disintegration of the Soviet Union

About Bukhara – has 84 voting stations for the referendum

• 2000 year old Ancient City in Uzbekistan situated in the Silk route.
• Bukhara, Fergana and Samarkand in Uzbekistan emerged as major towns on the trade routes linking India with Europe and China.
• Indian merchants based in Samarkand and Bukhara were an integral part of the local economy in Uzbekistan.

India-Uzbekistan

• India’s Election Commission has been invited to witness the “historic” referendum on the constitutional reforms.
• The ties between India and Uzbekistan have been on an upswing in the last few years.
• Both sides have shown keen interest in further expanding the ties in a number of areas including trade and investment, energy and people-to-people exchanges.