Lessons To Be Learnt From Uzbekistan's Electoral Process

From Nor Faridah Abd Rashid TASHKENT, Feb 27 (Bernama) -- When Malaysian observers were invited to monitor Uzbekistan’s Parliamentary (Oliy Majlis) Elections on Dec 21 last year, they found that there were valuable lessons to be learnt from its electoral system. This is despite the country being a young nation that declared its independence from the Soviet Union only 23 years ago, in August 1991. Election Commission (EC) Deputy Chairman Mohd Hashim Abdullah, a first time observer of the elections, noticed the high voter turnout of more than 88 per cent. This is an indication that the Uzbeks understood their rights and ensured that they exercised it. He felt that Malaysians should emulate the Uzbeks in inculcating a culture that impresses upon the importance of voting. Mohd Hashim, who was one of the over 300 international observers invited to monitor the elections, stressed that Malaysians should instill in themselves the belief that going out to vote was their duty. "We need to impress upon the need to vote. Although the country has seen many elections since achieving independence, we cannot see it as an event where we would only go to vote if we feel like it, and forgo it if we don’t feel up for it," he said to Bernama. CONSISTENTLY GOOD VOTER TURNOUT According to The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International Idea), an intergovernmental organisation, Uzbekistan’s voter turnout averaged more than 80 per cent over the last three elections. In 1994, when the country first started its parliamentary elections, voter turnout stood at some 90 per cent. In 1999, more that 99 per cent went to the polls. Uzbeks can vote when they are 18 years old. Malaysia had its highest voter turnout in the 2013 general elections at 84.84 per cent while previous elections saw an average of about 70 per cent turnout, according to International Idea. Mohd Hashim said it was crucial to nurture a culture of going out to vote, particularly among the younger generation as their choice would inevitably shape the country’s leadership. He believed that a person registered as a voter but did not vote was no different then those who did not register at all. UZBEKS TAKE POLLS SERIOUSLY "We also should not assume that it is okay not to vote, because others will. Voting is the responsibility of every citizen," he said. "It is such a different scenario from the parliamentary elections in Uzbekistan, where voters take the responsibility of casting their votes seriously." He found that voters still thronged the polling centre even when there was only half an hour left to 8.00 pm, when voting would be closed. "Perhaps they were working in the daytime and could not make it earlier, but they rushed to ensure that their responsibility was fulfilled," he said. SECTORAL REPRESENTATION Another observer was former EC deputy chairman Wan Ahmad Wan Omar, who was attracted to the sectoral representation where 15 parliamentary seats were allocated to the country’s Ecological Movement. Wan Ahmad, who is currently a special officer at the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office, felt that this system was something worth looking into. The 15 seats were allocated to the movement due to the increasing importance of environmental issues, improvement of environmental conditions and the people's health, which are considered vital for all layers of society, regardless of their political views. Malaysia could also look at the possibilities of having sectoral representatives in the Dewan Rakyat (Lower House of Parliament) for specific fields like environment and labour, he told Bernama. "This is because in our lower house now, the representatives are from political parties. Those who win the elections, they got the seats but they don’t really speak for the labour, unions or for any other sectoral interests." He pointed out that MPs from government parties spoke based on government policies and issues while MPs from the opposition spoke based on issues of their interest. So there is a vacuum there, sectoral issues which are not being spelt out by MPs," he said. UZBEKISTAN MPS WORK FULL TIME Senior lawyer S. Radhakrishnan, who is a "veteran" observer of not only the Uzbek Parliamentary Elections but also the Presidential Elections, was impressed that the 150 MPs elected to the lower house of Parliament were on “full time basis.” He said that the Oliy Majlis Head of Department for International Relations Fayzutto A. Abdurakhmanov said that among others the MPs were paid a reasonable salary to cover their living expenses. "Those coming from the regions receive extra payment to cover travel and other expenses. They also have Chambers in Parliament," he said. "With such a system, the MPs are therefore able to give their full concentration. This is a good idea for Malaysia to consider," he added. UZBEKISTAN CHILDREN TO CARE FOR THEIR PARENTS He was also impressed with the Mahalla (local neighbourhood committees) system where children who are able bodied and of age was under a legal obligation to look after their parents. He said that at one of the polling centres, the head of one of the Mahalla, said that under the law parents were under a legal obligation to support and care for their children until they are of age (18 years). Likewise children have to look after their parents when they are old or sick, he said, adding that this was provided for in the Uzbek Constitution. "If anyone does not comply, pressure will be applied through the Mahalla or through friends. Therefore the family is a close knit unit," he said, adding that Malaysia should seriously consider adopting a similar law. SPECIAL POSITIONS FOR WOMEN Leadership Institute Senior Vice-President Max Say, who was a first time observer, was impressed with the percentage given for women under the electoral process where women comprised 31.8 per cent of the candidacy. "So from here you can see that women have special positions in the Uzbek parliament," he said. He also noted the focus on young candidates of different professions who were highly educated. According to Diplomatic World, an International luxury business magazine interlinking business, diplomatic and political business, the ages of elected members in Oliy Majlis range from 29 to over 50 years. The elected deputies comprise representatives of the economic community, education, healthcare and non-governmental organisations, which enhance the country's move towards deepening its democratic reforms and establishing a civil society. -- BERNAMA