Deputies of the Legislative Chamber of Uzbekistan adopted a resolution on holding a referendum on the new Constitution of Uzbekistan. Voting is scheduled for April 30, 2023, Gazeta.uz reports.
The resolution on holding a popular vote is sent to the Senate of Uzbekistan. The Senate is expected to consider the document on March 14. If the upper house of parliament approves the document, it must be published in print within three days.
The law on the Constitution in the new edition will come into force from the day the results of the referendum are announced by the Central Election Commission of Uzbekistan.
Of the 137 deputies of the Legislative Chamber, 134 supported the resolution, 2 abstained, and 1 did not vote.
The text of the main law of Uzbekistan will change by 65%. Uzbekistan is proclaimed a social state, the number of senators will be reduced and other changes are planned. At the same time, the amendment to extend the term of the country's president in office from 5 to 7 years remains.
The need to reform the Constitution in November 2021 was announced by the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev in his inaugural speech, specifying that such a proposal comes from the inhabitants of the country. In congratulating the people of Uzbekistan on the occasion of the 29th anniversary of the Constitution in December of the same year, Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed to adopt amendments to the 30th anniversary of the Constitution, that is, by December 8, 2022, but the adoption of the document was delayed.
In early March 2023, President Mirziyoyev met with deputies and senators, as well as the leadership of the Supreme Court of Uzbekistan. At the meeting, consultations were held on the results of consideration of the proposals of the population on amendments to the Constitution. It was stated that the bill would be considered by the Constitutional Court of Uzbekistan.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
March 10, 2023