Reform of the Parliament of Uzbekistan is a requirement of the time

The updated Basic Law of Uzbekistan reflects new norms for the creation of a strong parliament, a compact and responsible government, an independent and fair judicial system. The powers of the Legislative Chamber and the Senate are significantly expanded. The duplication of functions in the work of the two chambers has been eliminated, the scope of powers of each of them has been clearly defined. 

The draft law "On amendments and additions to some legislative acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan", recently developed by a group of deputies, was considered in the first reading at a meeting of the lower house. The document defines the relevant amendments and additions to 14 legislative acts, including the Electoral Code.
Firstly, duplication in the work of the Chambers has been eliminated and the scope of responsibility of each is clearly defined. 
Secondly, the legal basis is being created for the introduction of legislative proposals to the lower house as a legislative initiative by at least one hundred thousand citizens, the Senate, the Ombudsman, the Central Election Commission. The introduction of this norm will expand the participation of citizens in the management of public affairs.
Thirdly, the number of Deputy Speakers of the Legislative Chamber is reduced from seven to two, which should further enhance the independence of factions and ensure the impartiality of Deputy Speakers. The exclusive powers of the Legislative Chamber are defined as control over the execution of the State Budget and consideration of the report of the Accounting Chamber, consideration and approval of the candidacy of the Prime Minister on the proposal of the President, hearing reports of the Prime Minister, members of the Government and the annual report of the Cabinet of Ministers.
The committees of the Legislative Chamber are granted the right to initiate hearing of reports of government members and information from heads of state bodies, which makes it possible to organize the work of the committees more effectively. It is stipulated that the parliamentary investigation will be conducted by a joint special commission formed on the basis of equality of deputies of the Legislative Chamber and members of the Senate.
The bill was submitted for public discussion, which took place from September 28 to October 14 on the website regulation.gov.uz and the official website of the Legislative Chamber. Proposals and opinions received from citizens on this bill will be considered in detail by the responsible committee.
Over the past period, representatives of the public have offered a number of reasoned opinions and comments on the draft law, which indicates an increasing sense of citizens' involvement in the processes of transformation taking place in the country. Representatives of political parties and young people actively participate in the discussions. This is of great importance for further improvement and refinement of the document.
The adoption of this draft law will serve to ensure the strict and full implementation of the Constitution in the new edition, the implementation of the priority principles enshrined in it in accordance with the idea of a New Uzbekistan, the establishment of the activities of state bodies in the new constitutional and legal conditions.
 
Gulrukh Agzamova,
Deputy of the Legislative Chamber 
Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan.