The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, in his Address to the Oliy Majlis and the Uzbek people on December 29, 2020, stated, "In 2021, our country and our people will witness another significant political event - the Presidential election. The Central Election Commission should ensure its organization at a high level, based on national legislation and recognized international democratic standards...".

To effectively implement this important task and in accordance with the "Basic Action Plan for Preparation for the Presidential Election of the Republic of Uzbekistan", approved by the Central Election Commission on April 14, 2021, a decision was made during the meeting of April 27, 2021, to approve the concept of enhancing the competence of election commission members.

Within the framework of the Memorandum signed between the Central Election Commission and the Academy of State Administration under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Academy of the Prosecutor General's Office, the Academy of Internal Affairs, and the Tashkent State University of Law, it was agreed to organize and conduct training sessions aimed at enhancing theoretical knowledge and practical skills in election law and modern information technologies in coordination with ministries and departments.

A Republican headquarters was established to facilitate and coordinate these efforts. The preparation included the development of methodological and instructional materials, involving experts from the Academy of State Administration under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, professors from Tashkent State University of Law, and specialists from the Ministry of Information Technologies and Communications.

Highly qualified experts formulated educational programs and methodological materials (educational-methodological materials, lectures, presentations, infographics, slides, tests, and key texts, as well as video and audio materials), taking into account the most important aspects of national election law and the final report of the OSCE/ODIHR on monitoring elections in Uzbekistan.

A monitoring group consisting of 56 trainers from higher education institutions in Tashkent and 105 members was formed to oversee the training. A two-day seminar-training was conducted for them by experts from the Academy of State Administration.

A total of 936 local trainers were formed, consisting of experienced pedagogical staff from judicial, prosecutorial, internal affairs training institutions, and regional higher education institutions. A two-day, 18-hour training program was developed for them, along with presentations, infographics, lecture texts, 700 tests, and 210 key texts. Fifteen to twenty-minute video lectures were prepared for each of the 12 topics, and an educational-practical guide on election law and practice was prepared, printed (36,850 copies), and distributed to the regions.

Local seminars and training sessions were conducted in small groups of 15-21 people using interactive methods (simulation, modeling election processes, rapid question-and-answer sessions, among others). Video lectures and clips were prepared for each topic of the training program and used during practical exercises.

The Ministry of Higher and Secondary Specialized Education, under the Scientific and Methodological Center (SMC), has created an electronic platform (spv.bimm.uz) enabling distance learning and conducting test exams.

Additionally, to maximize the use of election law content and educational methodological materials, the "Election-2021" mobile application was developed.

1st stage seminar-trainings were conducted from June 7-23 in district (city) levels. A total of 33,257 precinct election commission chairs, deputy chairs, secretaries, and other responsible individuals were trained. At the end of the seminars, participants took tests on the spv.bimm.uz portal, achieving an average score of 75%.

2nd stage seminar-trainings took place from July 12 to August 8. It involved 33,044 leaders of district election commissions, their deputies, and secretaries. After the seminars, participants also completed tests on the spv.bimm.uz portal, with an average score of 84%.

At the next stage of seminar-trainings, 936 local trainers and 824 volunteer-trainers were gathered. A list of trainers was approved by sector and they conducted educational sessions from August 4-14 in district (city) sectors, involving small groups of 6-7 people in question-answer and discussion formats based on approved training programs and schedules developed by regional headquarters.

4th stage seminar-trainings, held in practical exercises from August 16 to September 12, were conducted in small groups of 18-24 people in each district (city) sector according to graphics and lesson plans developed by regional headquarters, using methods such as role-playing games, debates, presentations, Q&A sessions, and "intellectual attack". Before the start of the 4th stage seminar-trainings, participants received video clips prepared by the Central Election Commission regarding the election process stages. Participants concluded these sessions by taking tests on the spv.bimm.uz portal, with an average score of 93%.

5th stage seminar-trainings, from September 15-18, were directly organized at polling stations across the republic for 142,044 members of district election commissions. These seminars were conducted as educational-practical exercises for all members, including chairs, deputy chairs, and secretaries of district election commissions, with the oversight of Republic and regional trainers.

Beyond these efforts, a 3rd stage of training sessions was conducted for 32,280 election commission members (operators) on the operational use of election management information systems (EMIS) to enhance their practical skills and effectiveness in managing election processes, ensuring the preparation and conduct of voting days, and maintaining public order. The theoretical knowledge gained in these seminars was further strengthened during practical exercises.

All these proactive measures contributed to the robust development of election commissions' knowledge and skills in national election law and international election standards (initial test results of 75% and final test results of 93%), ensuring the high-level organization and conduct of Presidential elections based on national legislation and international standards.

X. Paluaniyazov
Director of the Training Center
Central Election Commission