The elections to the Parliament of Uzbekistan and also to the provincial, district and city Councils of people?s deputies will be held in December 2004.

In accordance with the amendments to the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan made after the referendum on 27 January 2002, the new Parliament (Oliy Majlis) will consist of two chambers ? Legislative (lower chamber with 120 representatives) and Senate (upper chamber with 100 Senators).

It is worth to note that comprehensive legal basis has been created to cover all aspects of the forthcoming elections. It includes constitutional laws ?On the Results of Referendum and the Main Principles of State?s Power?, ?On the Senate of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan?, ?On the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan?. In these documents new relations between state institutions, legislative and executive branches of power have been enshrined.

Democratic principles reflected in new laws ?On Amendments and Changes to the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan?, ?On the Regulations of the Senate of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan? led to the adoption of new edition of law ?On Elections to Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan? that fully corresponds with the international standards. Necessary amendments have also been introduced into the law ?On Elections to the Regional, District and City Councils of People?s Deputies?.

The following should be noted to describe some of the main features and peculiarities of the new electoral legislation in Uzbekistan.

According to Article 19 of the law ?On Elections to the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan? the Central election commission shall announce the beginning of an election campaign at least three months prior to expiration of authorities of deputies. It creates every opportunity for a comprehensive preparation of political parties, voters? initiative groups, society and governmental bodies for the elections.

If in the past government representatives have had the right to nominate candidates for elections to the Parliament, regional, district and city Councils of People?s Deputies. According to the new legislation the representative bodies can not propose a candidate for the Parliament and local elections.

Candidates for deputies of the Legislative Chamber are nominated by political parties and voters? initiative groups, and candidates for deputies of local Councils ? by local branches of political parties, self-governed institutions and initiative groups.

There are all reasons to believe that this constitutional norm will enhance competitiveness of the elections conducted on the alternative basis with the participation of many parties, increase the role of political parties including their regional and local institutions, intensify the activities of voters? initiative groups and self-regulated institutions during the elections, advance political consciousness and legal standards in the society.

According to the Article 20 of the Law ?On Elections to Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan?, a political party may nominate its candidates if it is registered at the Ministry of Justice of Uzbekistan no later than six month prior to the announcement of election campaign, and only if it has at least 50,000 signatures of voters who support its participation in the elections. However, it is also mentioned that in each administrative-territorial unit it is allowed to collect no more than eight percent of signatures out of 50,000 voters.

The law ?On Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan? also states that the Legislative Chamber activity will be based on professional and permanent work of legislators.

The Legislative Chamber is elected through direct secret ballot by constituencies. The Senate is elected on the basis of equal quota (six seats for every administrative province, and also for the Republic of Karakalpakstan and Tashkent City).

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan appoints sixteen members of Senate from the most respected citizens with a profound practical experience and special merits in the field of science, art, literature, manufacture, and other state and public activity.