The people of Uzbekistan:

solemnly declaring their adherence to human rights and principles of state sovereignty,

aware of their ultimate responsibility to the present and the future generations,

relying on historical experience in the development of Uzbek statehood,

affirming their commitment to the ideals of democracy and social justice,

recognizing priority of the generally accepted norms of the international law,

aspiring to a worthy life for the citizens of the Republic,

setting forth the task of creating a humane and democratic rule of law,

aiming to ensure civil peace and national accord, represented by their plenipotentiary deputies

adopt the present Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan is a sovereign democratic republic. Both names of the state - the Republic of Uzbekistan and Uzbekistan - shall be equivalent.

The state shall express the will of the people and serve their interests. State bodies and officials shall be accountable to the society and the citizens.

The Republic of Uzbekistan shall determine its national-state and administrative-territorial structure, its structure of state authority and administration, and shall pursue independent home and foreign policies.

The state frontier and the territory of Uzbekistan shall be inviolable and indivisible.

The state language of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be Uzbek.

The Republic of Uzbekistan shall ensure a respectful attitude toward the languages, customs and traditions of all nationalities and ethnic groups living on its territory, and create the conditions necessary for their development.

The Republic of Uzbekistan shall have its state symbols - the flag, the emblem, and the anthem-sanctioned by the law.

The capital of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be the city of Tashkent.

The people are the sole source of state power.

State power in the Republic of Uzbekistan is exercised in the interests of the people and exclusively by bodies authorized for this by the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan and laws adopted on its basis.

Any seizure of powers belonging to state authority, suspension or termination of activity of the bodies of state authority contrary to the procedure prescribed by the Constitution, as well as the formation of any new or parallel bodies of state authority shall be regarded as unconstitutional and punishable by law.

All citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan, regardless of their nationality, constitute the people of Uzbekistan.

Major matters of public and state life shall be submitted for a nation-wide discussion and put to a direct vote of the people (a referendum). The procedure for holding referendums shall be specified by law.

The Oliy Majlis (Supreme Assembly) and President of the Republic, elected by the people, shall have the exclusive right to act on behalf of the people.

No section of society, political party, public association, movement or individual shall have the right to act on behalf of the people of Uzbekistan.

The principle of the separation of power between the legislative, executive and judicial authorities shall underlie the system of state authority in the Republic of Uzbekistan.

In the Republic of Uzbekistan, public life shall develop on the basis of a diversity of political institutions, ideologies and opinions.

No ideology shall be granted the status of state ideology.

Democracy in the Republic of Uzbekistan shall rest on the principles common to all mankind, according to which the ultimate value is the human being, his life, freedom, honour, dignity and other inalienable rights.

Democratic rights and freedoms shall be protected by the Constitution and the laws.

The state shall function on the principles of social justice and legality in the interests of the people and society.

The Constitution and the laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall have absolute supremacy in the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The state, its bodies, officials, public associations and citizens shall act in accordance with the Constitution and the laws.

None of the provisions of the present Constitution shall be interpreted in a way detrimental to the rights and interests of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

None of the laws or normative legal acts shall run counter to the norms and principles established by the Constitution.

The Republic of Uzbekistan shall have full rights in international relations. Its foreign policy shall be based on the principles of sovereign equality of the states, non-use of force or threat of its use, inviolability of frontiers, peaceful settlement of disputes, non-interference in the internal affairs of other states, and other universally recognized norms of international law.

The Republic may form alliances, join or withdraw from unions and other inter-state organizations proceeding from the ultimate interests of the state and the people, their well-being and security.

All citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall have equal rights and freedoms, and shall be equal before the law, without discrimination by sex, race, nationality, language, religion, social origin, convictions, individual and social status.

Any privileges may be granted solely by the law and shall conform to the principles of social justice.

Both citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the state shall be bound by mutual rights and mutual responsibility. Citizens’ rights and freedoms, established by the Constitution and the laws, shall be inalienable. No one shall have the power to deny a citizen his rights and freedoms, or to infringe on them except by the sentence of a court.

The exercise of rights and freedoms by a citizen shall not encroach on the lawful interests, rights and freedoms of other citizens, the state or society.

In the Republic of Uzbekistan, uniform citizenship shall be established throughout its territory.

Citizenship in the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be equal for all regardless of the grounds of its acquisition.

Every citizen of the Republic of Karakalpakstan shall be a citizen of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The grounds and procedure for acquiring and forfeiting citizenship shall be defined by law.

The Republic of Uzbekistan shall guarantee legal protection to all its citizens both on the territory of the republic and abroad.

Foreign citizens and stateless persons, during their stay on the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan, shall be guaranteed the rights and freedoms in accordance with the norms of international law. They shall perform the duties established by the Constitution, laws, and international agreements signed by the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The right to exist is the inalienable right of every human being. Attempts on anyone’s life shall be regarded as the gravest crime.

Everyone shall have the right to freedom and inviolability of the person.

No one may be arrested or taken into custody except on lawful grounds.

No one may be adjudged guilty of a crime except by the sentence of a court and in conformity with the law. Such a person shall be guaranteed the right to legal defence during open court proceedings.

No one may be subject to torture, violence or any other cruel or humiliating treatment.

No one may be subject to any medical or scientific experiments without his consent.

Everyone shall be entitled to protection against encroachments on his honour, dignity, and interference in his private life, and shall be guaranteed inviolability of the home.

No one may enter a home, carry out a search or an examination, or violate the privacy of correspondence and telephone conversations, except on lawful grounds and in accordance with the procedure prescribed by law.

Any citizen of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall have the right to freedom of movement on the territory of the Republic, as well as a free entry to and exit from it, except in the events specified by law.

Everyone shall be guaranteed freedom of thought, speech and convictions. Everyone shall have the right to seek, obtain and disseminate any information, except that which is directed against the existing constitutional system and in some other instances specified by law.

Freedom of opinion and its expression may be restricted by law if any state or other secret is involved.

All state bodies, public associations and officials in the Republic of Uzbekistan shall allow any citizen access to documents, resolutions and other materials, relating to their rights and interests.

Freedom of conscience is guaranteed to all. Everyone shall have the right to profess or not to profess any religion. Any compulsory imposition of religion shall be impermissible.

All citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall have the right to participate in the management and administration of public and state affairs, both directly and through representation. They may exercise this right by way of self-government, referendums and democratic formation of state bodies, as well as development and improvement of public control over activities of state bodies.

The procedure of public control over activities of state bodies is defined by law.

Citizens have the right to carry out their public activity in the form of rallies, meetings and demonstrations in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The authorities have the right to suspend or prohibit these events only for justified security reasons.

All citizens of the republic of Uzbekistan shall have the right to form trade unions, political parties and any other public associations, and to participate in mass movements.

No one may infringe on the rights, freedoms and dignity of the individuals, constituting the minority opposition in political parties, public associations and mass movements, as well as in representative bodies of authority.

Everyone shall have the right, both individually and collectively, to submit applications and proposals, and to lodge complaints with competent state bodies, institutions and public representatives.

Such applications, proposals and complaints shall be considered in accordance with the procedure and within the time-limit specified by law.

Everyone shall have the right to own property.

The privacy of bank deposits and the right to inheritance shall be guaranteed by law.

Everyone shall have the right to work, including the right to choose their occupation. Every citizen shall be entitled to fair conditions of labour and protection against unemployment in accordance with the procedure prescribed by law.

Any forced labour shall be prohibited, except as punishment under the sentence of a court, or in some other Instances specified by law.

Citizens working on hire shall be entitled to a paid rest. The number of working hours and the duration of paid leave shall be specified by law.

Everyone shall have the right to social security in old age, in the event of disability and loss of the bread-winner as well as in some other cases specified by law.

Pensions, allowances and other kinds of welfare may not be lower than the officially fixed minimum subsistence wage.

Everyone shall have the right to receive skilled medical care.

Everyone shall have the right to education.

The state shall guarantee free secondary education.

Schooling shall be under state supervision.

Everyone shall be guaranteed the freedom of scientific research and engineering work, as well as the right to enjoy cultural benefits.

The state shall promote the cultural, scientific and technical development of society.

The state shall safeguard the rights and freedoms of citizens proclaimed by the Constitution and laws.

Everyone shall be entitled to legally defend his rights and freedoms, and shall have the right to appeal any unlawful action of state bodies, officials and public associations.

The rights of minors, the disabled, and the elderly shall be protected by the state.

Women and men shall have equal rights.

All citizens shall perform the duties established by the Constitution.

All citizens shall be obliged to observe the Constitution and laws, and to respect the rights, freedoms, honour and dignity of others.

It is the duty of every citizen to protect the historical, spiritual and cultural heritage of the people of Uzbekistan.

Cultural monuments shall have protection by the state.

All citizens shall protect the environment.

All citizens shall be obliged to pay taxes and local fees established by law.

Defence of the Republic of Uzbekistan is the duty of every citizen of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Citizens are obliged to perform military or alternative service in accordance with the procedure prescribed by law.

The economy of Uzbekistan, evolving towards market relations, is based on various forms of ownership. The state shall guarantee freedom of economic activity, entrepreneurship and labour with due regard for the priority of consumers’ rights, as well as equality and legal protection of all forms of ownership.

Private property, along with the other types of property, shall be inviolable and protected by the state. An owner may be deprived of his property solely in the cases and in accordance with the procedure prescribed by law.

An owner shall possess, use and dispose of his property. The use of any property must not be harmful to the ecological environment, nor shall it infringe on the rights and legally protected interests of citizens, juridical entities or the state.

The land, its minerals, fauna and flora, as well as other natural resources shall constitute the national wealth, and shall be rationally used and protected by the state.

Trade unions, political parties, and scientific societies, as well as women’s, veterans’ and youth leagues, professional associations, mass movements and other organizations registered in accordance with the procedure prescribed by law, shall have the status of public associations in the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The formation and functioning of political parties and public associations aiming to do the following shall be prohibited: changing the existing constitutional system by force; coming out against the sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of the Republic, as well as the constitutional rights and freedoms of its citizens; advocating war and social, national, racial and religious hostility, and encroaching on the health and morality of the people, as well as of any armed associations and political parties based on the national or religious principles.

All secret societies and associations shall be banned.

The state shall safeguard the rights and lawful interests of public associations and provide them with equal legal possibilities for participating in public life.

Interference by state bodies and officials in the activity of public associations, as well as interference by public associations in the activity of state bodies and officials is impermissible.

Trade unions shall express and protect the socio-economic rights and interests of the working people. Membership in trade unions is optional.

Political parties shall express the political will of various sections and groups of the population, and through their democratically elected representatives shall participate in the formation of state authority. Political parties shall submit public reports on their financial sources to the Oliy Majlis or their plenipotentiary body in a prescribed manner.

Religious organizations and associations shall be separated from the state and equal before law. The state shall not interfere with the activity of religious associations.

Public associations may be dissolved or banned, or subject to restricted activity solely by the sentence of a court.

The family is the primary unit of society and shall have the right to state and societal protection.

Marriage shall be based on the willing consent and equality of both parties.

Parents shall be obliged to support and care for their children until the latter are of age.

The state and society shall support, care for and educate orphaned children, as well as children deprived of parental guardianship, and encourage charity in their favour.

All children shall be equal before the law regardless of their origin and the civic status of their parents.

Motherhood and childhood shall be protected by the state.

Able-bodied children who are of age shall be obliged to care for their parents.

The mass media shall be free and act in accordance with the law. It shall bear responsibility for trustworthiness of information in a prescribed manner.

Censorship is impermissible.

The Republic of Uzbekistan shall consist of regions, districts, cities, towns, settlements, kishlaks and auls (villages), and the Republic of Karakalpakstan.

Any alteration of the boundaries of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, regions, the city of Tashkent, as well as the formation and annulment of regions, cities, towns and districts shall be sanctioned by the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The sovereign Republic of Karakalpakstan is part of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The sovereignty of the Republic of Karakalpakstan shall be protected by the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The Republic of Karakalpakstan shall have its own Constitution.

The Constitution of the Republic of Karakalpakstan must be in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be binding on the territory of the Republic of Karakalpakstan.

The territory and boundaries of the Republic of Karakalpakstan may not be altered without the consent of Karakalpakstan. The Republic of Karakalpakstan shall be independent in determining its administrative and territorial structure.

The Republic of Karakalpakstan shall have the right to secede from the Republic of Uzbekistan on the basis of a nation-wide referendum held by the people of Karakalpakstan.

Mutual relations between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Karakalpakstan, within the framework of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, shall be regulated by treaties and agreements concluded by the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Karakalpakstan.

Any disputes between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Karakalpakstan shall be settled by the way of reconciliation.

The supreme state representative body shall be the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan that exercises legislative power.

The Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall consist of two chambers — the Legislative Chamber (the lower chamber) and the Senate (the upper chamber).

The term of powers of the Legislative chamber and the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan — five years.

The Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall consist of one hundred fifty deputies elected in accordance with the law.

The Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be the chamber of territorial representation and consist of members of the Senate (senators).

Members of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be elected in equal quantity — in six persons — from the Republic of Karakalpakstan, regions and the city of Tashkent by secret ballot at relevant joint sessions of deputies of Zhokarghy Kenes of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, representative bodies of state authority of regions, districts, cities and towns from among these deputies. Sixteen members of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be appointed by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan from among the most authoritative citizens with large practical experience and special merits in the sphere of science, art, literature, manufacture and other spheres of state and public activity.

A deputy of the Legislative Сhamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as a member of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, may be a citizen of the Republic of Uzbekistan, who has reached on the date of the elections twenty five years of age and permanently residing on the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan not less than five years. Requirements for candidates to be a deputy shall be determined by law.

One and the same person may not be simultaneously a deputy of the Legislative Chamber and a member of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The joint conduct of the Legislative Chamber and the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall include:

1) adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, introducing amendments;

2) adoption of the Constitutional laws and laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan, introducing amendments;

3) adoption of decision on holding a referendum of the Republic of Uzbekistan and designation the date of its holding;

4) determination of the guidelines of home and foreign policies of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and adoption of strategic state programmes;

5) determination of the structure and powers of the bodies of the legislative, executive and judicial authorities of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

6) admission of new state formations into the Republic of Uzbekistan and approval of decisions to secede from the Republic of Uzbekistan;

7) legislative regulation of customs, currency and credit systems;

8) approval of the state budget of the Republic of Uzbekistan submitted by the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan and control over its execution;

9) determination of taxes and other compulsory payments;

10) legislative regulation of the administrative and territorial structure, and alteration of the boundaries of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

11) formation, annulment and renaming of districts, towns, cities and regions, and alteration of their boundaries;

12) institution of state awards and titles;

13) ratification of decrees of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the formation and abolition of ministries, state committees and other bodies of state administration;

14) formation of the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

15) consideration and approval, upon the nomination of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, of a nominee of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as hearing and discussion of reports of the Prime Minister on actual issues of socio-economic development of the country;

16) election of an authorized person of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for human rights and his deputy;

17) consideration of report of the Accounting Chamber of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

18) ratification of decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on announcement of condition of war in case of attack on the Republic of Uzbekistan or necessity of implementation of contractual obligations on mutual defense from aggression;

19) ratification of decrees of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on announcement of general and partial mobilization, introducing, prolongation and discontinuance of the state of emergency;

20) ratification and denouncement of international treaties;

21) exercising of the Parliamentary control and other powers specified by the present Constitution.

The matters on joint conduct by the chambers shall be considered, as a rule, first by the Legislative Chamber and then by the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The exclusive powers of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall include:

1) election of the Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and his deputies, chairmen of committees and their deputies;

2) ruling of matters on deprivation of immunity a deputy of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan submitted by the Procurator-General of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

3) adoption of decisions on matters relating to the organization of its activity and the internal schedule of the chamber;

4) adoption of decisions on certain issues in the field of political, social and economic life, as well as issues of domestic and foreign policy of the state;

5) consideration and approval upon nomination by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan of candidates for membership in the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan for their subsequent approval by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The exclusive powers of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall include:

1) election of the Chairman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and his deputies, chairmen of committees and their deputies;

2) election, upon the nomination of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

3) election, upon the nomination of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

4) appointment, upon the nomination of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, of the Chairman of the Supreme Judicial Council of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

6) ratification of decrees of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on appointment and relief of the Procurator-General of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Chairman of the Accounting Chamber;

7) approval of decrees of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the appointment and dismissal of the chairman of the State Security Service of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

8) appointment and relief of diplomatic and other representatives of the Republic of Uzbekistan to foreign states of their posts upon the nomination of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

9) appointment and relief of the Chairman of the Board of the Central Bank of the Republic of Uzbekistan of his post upon the nomination of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

10) upon the nomination of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan adoption of acts of amnesty;

11) upon the nomination of the Procurator-General of the Republic of Uzbekistan ruling of matters on deprivation of immunity a member of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

12) hearing reports of the Procurator-General of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Chairman of the Board of the Central Bank of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

13) adoption of decisions on matters relating to the organization of its activity and the internal schedule of the chamber;

14) adoption of resolutions on those or other matters in the sphere of political, social and economic life, as well as matters of home and foreign policies of the state.

The Legislative Chamber and the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, after expiry of their terms of powers, shall continue their activity until the beginning of the work accordingly of the Legislative Chamber and the Senate of new convocation.

The first sittings of the Legislative Chamber and the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be convoked by the Central Election Commission accordingly not later than in two months after the elections to the Legislative Chamber and not later than in one month after the formation of the Senate.

Sittings of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be convoked during sessions. Sessions shall be convoked, as a rule, since the first working day of September till the last working day of June of the next year.

Sittings of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be convoked as required, but not less often than three times a year.

Sittings of the chambers of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be empowered if not less than half of the total number of all deputies, senators paticipiate in their work.

At adoption of the constitutional laws, presence of not less than two thirds of the total number of all deputies, senators shall be obligatory.

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Prime Minister, members of the Cabinet of Ministers, the chairmen of the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court and the Supreme Judicial Council, the Procurator-General of the Republic, the Chairman of the Board of the Central Bank shall have the right to attend sittings of the Legislative Chamber and the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as sittings of their bodies. The Chairman of the Senate shall have the right to attend sittings of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and its bodies, the Speaker of the Legislative Chamber — sittings of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and its bodies.

The Legislative Chamber and the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall convoke separately.

The joint sittings of the Legislative Chamber and the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be convoked upon taking the oath by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, making speeches by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on major matters of social and economic life, home and foreign policies of the country, making speeches by heads of foreign states. As agreed by the chambers the joint sittings of the chambers may be convoked on other matters.

The Legislative Chamber and the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, on matters relating to their conducting, shall adopt resolutions.

Resolutions of the Legislative Chamber and the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be adopted by a majority of votes of the total number of deputies of the Legislative Chamber or members of the Senate except for cases stipulated by the present Constitution.

The right of legislative initiative shall be entitled to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Republic of Karakalpakstan in the person of its higher representative body of state authority, the deputies of the Legislative Chamber of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court, the Procurator-General of the Republic of Uzbekistan and realized through introducing drafts by the subjects of law to the Legislative Chamber of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The law shall come into effect when it is adopted by the Legislative Chamber, approved by the Senate, signed by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and issued in the official publications in specified by law procedure.

The law, adopted by the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, not later than ten days from the date of adoption, shall be addressed to the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The law, approved by the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, within ten days, shall be addressed to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan for signing and promulgation.

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, within thirty days, shall sign the law and promulgate it.

The law, rejected by the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, shall be returned to the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

In case of the second consideration of the rejected by the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan law and approval the law by the Legislative Chamber, by a majority in two thirds of votes of the total number of deputies, it shall be considered to be adopted by the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and addressed by the Legislative Chamber to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan for signing and promulgation.

On the law rejected by the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan the Legislative Chamber and the Senate, on a par with, may form from among deputies of the Legislative Chamber and members of the Senate a conciliatory commission for overcoming the occured disagreements. At adoption by the chambers proposals of the conciliatory commission the law shall be subject to consideration in ordinary procedure.

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall have the right to return the law with his objections to the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

In case of approval of the law in the earlier adopted edition by a majority not less than two thirds of votes of the total number accordingly of deputies of the Legislative Chamber and members of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the law shall be subject to signing by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan within fourteen days and promulgation.

Publication of laws and other normative-legal acts shall be an obligatory condition for their application.

The Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall elect from its composition the Speaker of the Legislative Chamber and his deputies.

The Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and his deputies shall be elected by a majority of votes of the total number of deputies by secret ballot for the term of powers of the Legislative Chamber.

The Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan may be recalled before the appointed time by decision of the Legislative Chamber adopted by more than two thirds of votes of the total number of deputies of the Legislative Chamber by secret ballot.

The Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall:

1) convoke sittings of the Legislative Chamber, preside at them;

2) exercise the general direction over a preliminary review of matters to be submitted for consideration by the Legislative Chamber;

3) coordinate the work of the committees and commissions of the Legislative Chamber;

4) organize the control over the implementation of laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan and resolutions of the Legislative Chamber;

5) direct the work on interparliamentary relations and the activity of the groups of the Legislative Chamber connected with the work of international parliamentary organizations;

6) represent the Legislative Chamber in interrelation with the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, other state bodies, foreign states, international and other organizations;

7) sign resolutions of the Legislative Chamber;

8) exercise other powers provided for by this Constitution and legislative acts.

The Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall issue ordinances.

The Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall elect from among its composition the Chairman of the Senate and his deputies. The Chairman of the Senate shall be elected upon the nomination of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

One of the Deputies of the Chairman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be a representative from the Republic of Karakalpakstan.

The Chairman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and his Deputies shall be elected by a majority of votes of the total number of senators by secret ballot for the term of powers of the Senate.

The Chairman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan may be recalled before the appointed time by decision of the Senate adopted by more than two thirds of votes of the total number of senators by secret ballot.

The Chairman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall:

1) convoke sittings of the Senate, preside at them;

2) exercise the general direction over a preliminary review of matters to be submitted for consideration by the Senate;

3) coordinate the work of the committees, commissions of the Senate;

4) organize the control over the implementation of laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan and resolutions of the Senate;

5) direct the work on interparliamentary relations and the activity of the groups of the Senate connected with the work of international parlia¬mentary organizations;

6) represent the Senate in interrelation with the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, other state bodies, foreign states, international and other organizations;

7) sign resolutions of the Senate;

8) exercise other powers provided for by this Constitution and legislative acts.

The Chairman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall issue ordinances.

The Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for the term of its powers shall elect from among deputies of the Legislative Chamber the committees for drafting laws, preliminary consideration and preparation of matters to be submitted to the Legislative Chamber, control over the implementation of laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan and decisions to be adopted by the Legislative Chamber.

The Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for the term of its powers shall elect from among senators the committees for preliminary consideration and preparation of matters to be submitted to the Senate, control over the implementation of laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan and decisions to be adopted by the Senate.

The Legislative Chamber and the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, in case of necessity for the implementation of concrete tasks, shall organize commissions from among deputies, senators.

Deputies of the Legislative Chamber and members of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, in the established procedure, shall receive compensation of expenses connected with their deputy or senator activities.

Deputies of the Legislative Chamber and members of the Senate, working in the Senate on a permanent basis for the period of their powers, may not be engaged in other paid activity except for research and pedagogical.

A deputy of the Legislative Chamber and a member of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall have the right of immunity. They may not be brought to criminal responsibility, arrested or subject to measures of administrative penalty imposed in the judicial order, without the consent accordingly of the Legislative Chamber and the Senate.

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan is the head of the state and ensures confirmed functioning and interaction of the state authorities.

A citizen of the Republic of Uzbekistan not younger than thirty five years, being in full command of the state language and permanently residing on the territory of Uzbekistan for at least 10 years, immediately preceding the elections, may be elected the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. One and the same person may not be the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan for more than two consecutive terms.

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be elected by citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the basis of the universal, equal and direct suffrage by secret ballot for the term of five years. The procedure for electing the President shall be defined by law of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The President, during his term of office, may not hold any other paid post, serve as deputy of representative body, engage in commercial activity.

The President shall enjoy personal immunity and protection under law.

The President shall be regarded as having assumed office upon taking an oath of the following content at sitting of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan:

“I do solemnly swear to faithfully serve the people of Uzbekistan, to strictly follow the Constitution and laws of the Republic, to guarantee the rights and freedoms of its citizens, and to conscientiously perform the duties vested on the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.”

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall:

1) guarantee observance of rights and freedoms of citizens, the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

2) take necessary measures on the protection of sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of the Republic of Uzbekistan, implementation of decisions regarding its national-state structure;

3) represent the Republic of Uzbekistan within the country and in international relations;

4) conduct negotiations and sign treaties and agreements of the Republic of Uzbekistan, ensure the observance of the negotiated by the Republic treaties, agreements and the assumed by it obligations;

5) receive letters of credence and recall from diplomatic and other representatives accredited to him;

6) present to the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan nominees for appointment of diplomatic and other representatives of the Republic of Uzbekistan to foreign states;

7) have the right to address the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan on major matters of realizing home and foreign policies of the country;

8) ensure interaction of the supreme bodies of authority and administration of the Republic; form and abolish, upon the submission of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan, ministries, state committees and other bodies of state administration with subsequent submission of decrees on these matters for approval by the chambers of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

9) represent to the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan a nominee for the election on the post of the Chairman of the Senate;

10) represent for consideration and approval by the chambers of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan a nominee of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan and relieve him of his post in the case of resignation, vote of no confidence to the Prime Minister approved by the Chambers of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan or other cases prescribed by law;

11) approve the members of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the proposal of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan, made after approval by the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and relieve them of their posts;

12) appoint and relieve the Procurator-General of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Chairman of the Accounting Chamber with their subsequent approval by the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

13) represent to the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan nominees on the posts of the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court, and the Chairman of the Supreme Judicial Council of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Board of the Central Bank of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

14) appoint and relieve, upon the submission of the Supreme Judicial Council of the Republic of Uzbekistan, chairmen and deputy chairmen of courts in regions and the city of Tashkent, the Chairman of the Military Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan; approve members of the Supreme Judicial Council of the Republic of Uzbekistan in accordance with law;

15) appoint and relieve, upon the submission of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan, khokims of districts and cities of their posts in accordance with law. The President shall have the right to relieve, by his decision, khokims of districts and cities of their posts, should they violate the Constitution, laws or perform acts discrediting the honour and dignity of a khokim;

16) suspend and annul the acts adopted by the state administration bodies and khokims of the republic in cases when they do not comply with the norms of the legislation; Has the right to chair the meetings of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

17) sign and promulgate laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan; shall have the right to return a law, with his objections, to the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for the second discussion and vote;

18) announce condition of war in case of attack on the Republic of Uzbekistan or in case of necessity of the implementation of contractual obligations on mutual defense from aggression and within seventy two hours submit the adopted decision for approval by the chambers of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

19) in exceptional cases (real outside threat, mass disturbances, major catastrophes, natural calamities, epidemics) in the interests of ensuring citizens’ security introduce the state of emergency on the entire territory or in the particular localities of the Republic of Uzbekistan and within seventy two hours submit the adopted decision for approval by the chambers of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Conditions and the procedure for introducing the state of emergency shall be regulated by law;

20) serve as the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Uzbekistan, appoint and relieve the supreme command of the Armed Forces of the post and confer the highest military ranks;

21) award orders, medals and certificates of honour of the Republic of Uzbekistan, confer qualification and honorary titles of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

22) rule on matters of citizenship of the Republic of Uzbekistan and granting political asylum;

23) put to the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan submission on adoption of acts of amnesty and effectuate pardoning of persons condemned by courts of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

24) Appoints and dismisses the chairman of the State Security Service with the subsequent introduction of decrees on these issues for approval by the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

25) exercise other powers stipulated by the present Constitution and laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The President shall not have the right to transfer exercising of his powers to state bodies or officials.

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall issue decrees, resolutions and ordinances binding on the entire territory of the Republic on the basis of and for enforcement of the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The Legislative Chamber, the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan may be dissolved, by the decision of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan adopted as agreed with the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan, in case of insuperable disagreements within the Legislative Chamber or the Senate putting under threat their normal functioning or numerous adoption by them decisions contradicting the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as insuperable disagreements between the Legislative Chamber and the Senate putting under threat the normal functioning of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

In case of dissolution of the Legislative Chamber and the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the new elections shall be held within three months.

The Legislative Chamber and the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan may not be dissolved during the state of emergency.

If it is impossible for the incumbent President of the Republic of Uzbekistan to fulfill his duties, his duties and powers are temporarily assigned to the Chairman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, holding for three months in full accordance with the law, the election of the President of the country.

The President, upon completion of his term of office, shall be a lifetime member of the Senate.

The executive authority shall be exercised by the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be composed of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan, his deputies, ministers, chairmen of state committees. The Head of the government of the Republic of Karakalpakstan shall be a member of the Cabinet of Ministers.

The Cabinet of Ministers shall:

1) take responsibility for the conduct of effective economic, social, financial, money and credit policies; the development and realization of programs on development of science, culture, education, healthcare and other areas of economy and social sphere;

2) implement measures on the protection of economic, social and other legitimate interests of the citizens;

3) coordinate and direct activities of the bodies of the state and economic administration, ensure control over their activity in manner prescribed by law;

4) ensure the implemen¬tation of laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan, decisions of the Oliy Majlis, decrees, resolutions and ordinances of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

5) present to the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan annual reports on major matters of socio-economic areas of the state;

6) exercise other functions stipulated by the present Constitution and the laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The Cabinet of Ministers, within the framework of constitutional norms and in accordance with the current legislation, issues decisions and orders that are binding on all bodies, enterprises, institutions, organizations, officials and citizens throughout the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The Cabinet of Ministers, in its work, shall be responsible before the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The Cabinet of Ministers shall tender its resignation to the newly-elected Oliy Majlism but continues its activities until the establishment of a new composition of the Cabinet of Ministers according to the decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall:

1) organize and direct the activity of the Cabinet of Ministers being responsible for efficiency of its work;

2) preside at sittings of the Cabinet of Ministers, sign its decisions;

3) represent the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan in international relations;

4) exercise other functions stipulated by laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The nominee of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be suggested by the political party taken majority deputy seats during elections to the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, or by several political parties received equally large number of deputy seats.

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall, upon consideration of the presented nominee for the post of Prime Minister, within ten days, suggest the post for consideration and approval by the Chambers of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The nominee of the Prime Minister, while considered and approved of the nominee for the Prime Minister at the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, shall present a program of the Cabinet of Ministers for short and long-term perspectives.

The nominee of the Prime Minister is to be considered as approved if it receives more than a half of total number of votes of the deputies the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis and the members of the Senate of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Members of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan are approved by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the proposal of the Prime Minister introduced after approval by the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

In case, when firm contradictions arise between the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan against the proposal officially presented to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan by the deputies of the Legislative Chamber in quantity of not less than one-third of a total number, issues of vote of no confidence to the Prime Minister shall be introduced for discussion of the joint meeting of the chambers of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Vote of no confidence to the Prime Minister shall be considered as approved, if not less than two-thirds of a total number of the deputies of the Legislative Chamber and the members of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan respectively vote for it. In such case, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall make a decision on the removal of the Prime Minister from his post. Meanwhile, Whole composition of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall resign together with the Prime Minister.

The nominee of the Prime Minister for consideration and approval by the Chambers of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be introduced by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan after consultation with all fractions of political parties represented in the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

If the Oliy Majlis refuses the nominee to the Prime Minister twice, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall appoint the acting Prime Minister and dissolve the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The procedure for the organization of the work and the competence of the Cabinet of Ministers shall be defined by law.

The Kenghashes of people’s deputies, led by khokims, are the representative bodies of authority in regions, districts, cities and towns (except towns subordinate to district centres). They shall act upon matters within their competence in accordance with the interests of the state and citizens.

The joint conducting of the local bodies of authority shall include:

ensuring legality, legal order and security of citizens;

matters of economic, social and cultural development within their territories;

formation and implementation of the local budget, determination of the local taxes and fees, formation of non-budget funds;

direction of the municipal economy;

protection of the environment;

ensuring the registration of civil status acts;

adoption of normative documents and exercise other powers not contradicting the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The local bodies of authority shall enforce laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan, decrees of the President, decisions of the higher bodies of state authority, and participate in the discussion of matters of national and local significance.

The decisions of the higher bodies adopted within their competence shall be binding on the subordinate bodies.

The term of office of the Kenghashes of people’s deputies and khokims is five years.

The khokim of region, district, city and town shall serve as the head of the representative and executive authorities of his relevant territory.

The khokim of region and the city of Tashkent shall be appointed and relieved of his post by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan in accordance with law.

The khokims of districts and cities shall be appointed and relieved of their posts by the khokim of the region and the city of Tashkent, and approved by the relevant Kenghash of people’s deputies.

The khokims of towns subordinate to district centres shall be appointed and relieved of their posts by the khokim of the district and appropved by the district Kenghash of people’s deputies.

The khokim of region, district, city and town shall exercise his powers in accordance with the principle of one-man management and shall bear personal responsibility for decisions and actions of bodies directed by him.

The khokim of region, district, city and town shall present to the relevant Kenghash of people’s deputies the reports on major and actual matters of the socio-economic development of the region, district, city. Based on it, the Kenghashes of people’s deputies shall take relevant decisions.

The organization of the work and powers of khokims and local Kenghashes of people’s deputies, as well as the procedure for the elections to the local Kenghashes of people’s deputies shall be regulated by law.

The khokim within his vested powers shall adopt decisions, which are binding on all enterprises, institutions, organizations, associations, as well as officials and citizens on the relevant territory.

Self-governing bodies in settlements, kishlaks and auls, as well as in makhallas of cities, towns, settlements, kishlaks and auls, shall be assemblies of citizens electing Chairman (aksakal).

The procedure for the elections, organization of the work and powers of self-governing bodies shall be regulated by law.

The judicial authority in the Republic of Uzbekistan shall function independently from the legislative and executive authorities, political parties, and other public associations.

The judicial system in the Republic of Uzbekistan consists of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Supreme Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan, military courts, the Court of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, regional and Tashkent city courts, the Administrative Court of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, administrative courts of regions and the city of Tashkent, inter-district, district, city courts for civil cases, district, city criminal courts, inter-district, district, city economic courts and inter-district administrative courts.

The organization and procedure for the operation of courts shall be specified by law.

The formation of extraordinary courts shall be inadmissible.

The Constitutional Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall hear cases relating to the constitutionality of acts of the legislative and executive authority.

The Constitutional Court shall be elected by the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan upon the submission of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan from among specialists in the sphere of politics and law, recommended by the Supreme Judicial Council of the Republic of Uzbekistan, including the representative of the Republic of Karakalpakstan.

The Constitutional Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall elect from among its members the Chairman of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan and his deputy.

The Constitutional Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall:

1) define the compliance of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan and resolutions of the chambers of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, decrees, resolutions and orders of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, resolutions of the government, decisions of local bodies of state authority, interstate treaties and other obligations of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

2) conform the compliance of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, constitutional laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan, laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan on ratification of the international treaties of the Republic of Uzbekistan – before their signature by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

3) conform the compliance of the Constitution of the Republic of Karakalpakstan to the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, laws of the Republic of Karakalpakstan – to laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

4) interpret the norms of the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

5) consider the appeal of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan, initiated by the courts, on compliance of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, normative-legal acts subjects to application in concrete cases;

6) based on summarizing practices of the constitutional legal procedures, represent annually the information on a status of constitutional lawfulness to the Chambers of of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

7) hear other cases relating to its competence in accordance with the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Judgments of the Constitutional Court shall take effect upon publication.

They shall be final and not subject to appeal.

Organization and procedure for the work of the Constitutional Court shall be specified by law.

The Supreme Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be the supreme judicial body of civil, criminal, economic and administration proceedings.

The adopted by it acts shall be final and binding on the entire territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The Supreme Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall have the right to supervise the administration of justice of the inferior courts.

The Supreme Judicial Council of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall act as a body of court community and render support in observation of the constitutional principle of independence of the judiciary in the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The procedure for organization and work of the Supreme Judicial Council of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be defined by law.

Judges shall be independent and subject solely to law. Any interference in the work of judges in administering law shall be inadmissible and punishable by law.

The immunity of judges shall be guaranteed by law.

Judges may not be senators, deputies of the representative bodies of state authority.

Judges may not be members of political parties, participate in political movements, as well as be engaged in any other paid activity except for research and pedagogical.

Before the completion of his term of office, a judge may be relieved of his post only on grounds specified by law.

Examination of cases in all courts shall be open to the public. Hearings in camera shall be allowed only in cases prescribed by law.

Court verdicts shall be binding on all state bodies, public associations, enterprises, institutions, organizations, officials and citizens.

Legal proceedings in the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be conducted in Uzbek, Karakalpak or in a language spoken by the majority of the population in the locality. Persons participating in court proceedings, who do not know the language in which it is being conducted, shall have the right to be fully acquainted with the materials of the case, participate through an interpreter in proceedings and address the court in their native language.

An accused shall be ensured the right to defense.

The right to legal assistance shall be guaranteed at any stage of investigation and legal proceedings. Legal assistance to citizens, enterprises, institutions and organizations shall be given by the College of Barristers. Organization and procedure for the work of the College of Barristers shall be specified by law.

Citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall have the right to elect and be elected to the representative bodies of state authority. Every elector shall have one vote. The right to vote, equality and freedom of expression of will shall be guaranteed by law.

The elections of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, to the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Jokargy Kenes of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, to the representative bodies of state power of regions, districts, cities are held, respectively, in the year of the expiration of their constitutional term of office — on the first Sunday of the third decade of October. Elections are held on the basis of universal, equal and direct suffrage by secret ballot. Citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan who have reached the age of eighteen have the right to vote.

Members of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be elected by secret ballot at relevant joint sittings of deputies of Jokarghy Kenes of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, the representative bodies of state authority in regions, districts, cities and towns from among these deputies not later a monthly term after their election.

Citizens recognized by a court as legally incompetent, as well as persons held in places of deprivation of liberty by a court judgment, may not be elected.

Citizens recognized by the court as legally incompetent, as well as persons held in places of deprivation of liberty by a court verdict for committed grave and especially grave crimes, do not participate in the elections. In any other cases, direct or indirect restriction of citizens' voting rights is not allowed.

A citizen of the Republic of Uzbekistan may not simultaneously be a deputy in more than two representative bodies of state authority.

To organize and hold the elections of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, to the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as referendum of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be formed by the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the main principles of activity of which shall be independence, legality, collective nature, publicity and fairness.

The Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall carry out its activities on a permanent basis and shall comply with the Constitution and other legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Members of the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be elected by the Legislative Chamber and the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the recommendation of the Jokarghy Kenes of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, regional and Tashkent city Kenghashes of people’s deputies.

Chairman of the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be elected from among its members upon the nomination of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan at the meeting of the commission.

The procedure for the elections shall be specified by law.

The Procurator-General of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the procurators subordinate to him shall supervise the strict and uniform observance of laws on the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The Procurator-General of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall direct the centralized system of bodies of the procurator’s office.

The Procurator of the Republic of Karakalpakstan shall be appointed by the supreme representative body of the Republic of Karakalpakstan as agreed with the Procurator-General of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Procurators of regions, districts, cities and towns shall be appointed by the Procurator-General of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The term of office shall be five years for the Procurator-General of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Procurator of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, procurators of regions, districts, cities and towns.

Bodies of the Procurator’s Office of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall exercise their powers independently of any state bodies, public associations and officials, and shall be subject solely to law.

Procurators for the term of their powers shall suspend their membership in political parties and other public associations pursuing political goals.

Organization, powers and procedure for the work of bodies of the procurator’s office shall be specified by law.

On the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be prohibited establishment and functioning of private, cooperative organizations, public associations and their branches independently conducting any operational work, investigations, inquiries and other functions connected with combating crime.

Public associations and citizens may render assistance to the law-enforcement bodies to safeguard legality and order, rights and freedoms of citizens.

The Republic of Uzbekistan shall have independent financial, monetary and credit systems.

The state budget of Uzbekistan shall consist of the national budget, the budget of the Republic of Karakalpakstan and local budgets.

The Republic of Uzbekistan shall have a single taxation system. The right to determine taxes shall belong to the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The banking system of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be directed by the Central Bank of the Republic.

The Armed Forces of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be formed to defend the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Uzbekistan, peaceful life and security of its population.

The structure and organization of the Armed Forces shall be specified by law.

The Republic of Uzbekistan shall maintain the Armed Forces to ensure its security at a level of reasonable sufficiency.

The Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall be altered by law adopted by a majority, not less than two thirds of the total number accordingly of deputies of the Legislative Chamber and members of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, or by referendum of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan may adopt law on alterations and amendments to the Constitution within six months after submission of a relevant proposal, with regard for its broad discussion. Should the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan reject a proposal on alteration of the Constitution, it may be renewed not earlier than in a year.