CIS observation mission starts work at Uzbek presidential elections
TASHKENT. Nov 17 (Interfax) - The Uzbek Central Election Commission has passed a resolution granting accreditation to observers from missions of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB) and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the republican press center for the presidential elections said at a press briefing on Thursday.
The presidential elections in Uzbekistan have been set for December 4.
The CIS election observation mission is due to begin working in Uzbekistan from November 17, the press center said.
"Ten long-term observers of the Commonwealth of Independent States are starting their work in Tashkent and the country's regions today. Short-term [observers] will arrive in Uzbekistan a day before the elections," it said.
All in all, more than 70 observers from CIS countries will monitor the polls in Uzbekistan.
Observers from the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the CIS Executive Committee, the SCO, the OIC, the A-WEB and other authoritative international institutions will work at the Uzbek elections at the invitation of the country's Central Election Commission, the commission said.
Uzbekistan is holding the election early in accordance with the Constitution following the death on September 2 of President Islam Karimov at the age of 78 following a stroke.
The presidential candidates have been nominated from all four parties registered in the country: Shavkat Mirziyoyev, a candidate of the Movement of Entrepreneurs and Businessmen and the Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan; Sarvar Otamuradov, deputy speaker of the lower house of parliament, from the National Revival Democratic Party; Hotamzhon Ketmonov, leader of the People's Democratic Party; and Narimon Umarov, leader of the Justice Social Democratic Party.
