REGULATION
On the procedure for accrediting media representatives during the election campaign
This Regulation in accordance with the Election Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan (hereinafter referred to as the Election Code), the laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On the Mass Media", "On the Principles and Guarantees of Freedom of Information" defines the procedure for accreditation of representatives of foreign and local media (hereinafter - the media) for coverage of the election of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the election campaign for the election to the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan (hereinafter - the Legislative Chamber), regional, sub-regional and city kengashes of people's deputies (hereinafter - the local kengashes).
Chapter 1. General Provisions
1. During the election campaign for the wide, speedy and free dissemination of objective information, as well as for organizing their activities, in the manner prescribed by the legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan, media representatives are accredited.
The credentials of media representatives must be confirmed by certificates issued by the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan (hereinafter - the CEC), regional, district and city election commissions.
2. Media representatives may apply for accreditation to the CEC, regional, district and city election commissions from the day of the official announcement of the start of the election campaign and, as a rule, at least fifteen days before the election.
3. Media representatives accredited by the CEC, regional, district and city election commissions. The certificates forms will be issued in accordance with annexes No. 1 and No. 2 to this Regulation. (see Uzbek or Russian version)
4. The term of office of media representatives begins on the day of receipt of the certificate of accreditation and ends on the day of the official announcement of the election results.
If the relevant election commission decided to hold a second vote or re-election, the validity of the certificate of a representative of the media is considered extended until a decision is made based on the results of a second vote or re-election.
Chapter 2. Accreditation procedure for representatives of local media
5. During the election campaign, accreditation is carried out:
media representatives of the republican level - the CEC;
media representatives of the regional level - the regional election commission;
media representatives of the district (city) level - the district (city) election commission.
6. To cover the election campaign, the leaders of the republican, regional, district and city mass media apply to the election commissions provided for in clause 5 to this Regulation.
The media address shall indicate the surname, name, fatherland and position of the employee submitted for accreditation, as well as a copy of an identity document and 2 photographs measuring 3x4 cm.
An application for accreditation of a media representative is submitted on the official media form and is certified by the signature of the head.
7. The appeal is considered within five days and, on the basis of the decision of the corresponding election commission, an accreditation certificate is issued to the media representative.
In case of incomplete submission of the relevant information specified in clause 6 of this Regulation, as well as violation of the deadlines for submitting an accreditation request, the relevant election commission may refuse to accredit the media representative.
Chapter 3. The accreditation procedure for representatives of foreign media
8. Accreditation of representatives of foreign media in the election of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Legislative Chamber is carried out by the CEC.
When accrediting representatives of foreign media, the CEC cooperates with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan (hereinafter referred to as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
9. For accreditation to the CEC of a representative of foreign media accredited to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the head of the corresponding media correspondence point (bureau, office) must apply.
The appeal shall indicate the surname, name, fatherland and position of the employee submitted for accreditation, as well as a copy of an identity document and 2 photographs of 3x4 cm in size.
The appeal is considered within five days and on the basis of the CEC decision, an accreditation certificate is issued to the representative of the foreign media.
10. In order to cover the election campaign, representatives of foreign media who have not been accredited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should apply
at the Foreign Ministry. Attached to the appeal:
CV-information about the media;
an autobiography of the employee submitted for accreditation, a copy of an identity document, and 2 photos of 3x4 cm in size.
11. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs considers the appeal of representatives of foreign media not accredited to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, no later than two weeks from the date of appeal. In case of incomplete submission of the information specified in clause 10 of these Regulations, as well as violation of the deadlines for submitting an application for accreditation, the application is left without consideration.
12. The Foreign Ministry submits to the CEC a statement on the accreditation of representatives of foreign media.
The submission is considered within five days and, on the basis of the decision of the CEC, an accreditation certificate is issued to the representative of the foreign media.
Chapter 4. Rights and obligations of a media representative
13. A media representative has the right:
cover all activities related to the preparation and conduct of elections;
attend meetings of election commissions;
receive copies of decisions of election commissions for media coverage;
participate in meetings to nominate candidates, meetings of candidates with voters;
be informed about the time and place of the early voting and observe this process;
be present on election day in polling stations, including during the counting of votes;
to take photos, videos, audio recordings without violating the electoral process and the secrecy of the vote (except for places of detention and imprisonment, military units, medical institutions);
observe the voting at the place of stay of the voter with his permission;
be present at the adoption by the district election commission of the protocols of the precinct election commission on the results of the counting of votes and determining the election results in the district;
express their opinion on the preparation and conduct of elections.
A media representative may also enjoy other rights in accordance with the law.
14. The representative of the media must:
be guided by the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Electoral Code, resolutions of the CEC;
when visiting election commissions, government bodies and other government bodies, carry a certificate and an identity document and show them at the request of officials.
15. The representative of the media is prohibited:
to disseminate information calling for a violent change in the constitutional order, directed against the sovereignty, integrity and security of the republic, constitutional rights and freedoms of citizens propagandizing war, social, national, racial and religious hostility, encroaching on the health and morality of the people;
influence citizens, distribute any campaign materials or literature;
be in the booth or secret ballot room when the voter makes his notes on the ballot;
ask voters for whom they voted or provide any assistance to voters when they make notes on the ballot;
interfere in the activities of the election commission, including when sealing the ballot boxes, opening them, counting votes;
publish on the election day and the day before the start of voting the results of opinion polls, forecasts of election results, and other studies related to the elections.
16. An election commission accrediting a media representative may terminate his authority ahead of schedule if he fails to comply with the requirements of the Electoral Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the norms of this Regulation.
Chapter 5. Final provisions
17. These Regulations are agreed with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Agency for Information and Mass Communications under the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.