'Saylov' means 'election' in Uzbek. Derived from the word 'say' (means 'count' in English), the meaning complies with the logic of the process: Since everybody makes his/her decision until the day of the election; on the election day, the main responsibility is the organization of the counting process. From this point of view, the meaning of the word is reflected in deed. 

People usually get stressed when they hear the word 'election'. However, no tension was observed in the country either on the eve of the election or on the election day. Obviously, this made the OSCE confused. To Europeans, who are accustomed to turning elections into a gladiator show , this might seem unusual, even surprising. However, these feelings go away after getting to know the country for a few days. In general, Uzbeks are peaceful people: They work without any tension, hurry and rush. At first glance, those Western people, who are always in rush think that things cannot work at this tempo. However, it is the East: things are moving forward as they should! 

Although Uzbeks are not in a rush, they always complete their work on time: All steps in the action plan for elections, which was adopted in May have been taken. Chairperson of the Central Election Commission Zayniddin Nizamkhodjayev counted all those steps at the press conference held for foreign journalists. 

Nizamkhodjayev is one of the respected people in Uzbekistan, a famous surgeon and professor. He was awarded the honorary title 'Hero of Uzbekistan'. Entrusting "Saylov" (means election in Uzbek) to the hands of such a person ensured that things went with surgical precision without leaving any doubt about the election frauds in the society.

On the eve of election day, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Uzbekistan, Colonel Bekmurod Abdullaev talked about the security measures at the polling stations during the briefing held for foreign media representatives. Directly observing the process the next morning, it became clear that it was just a precautionary measure.

Saying that there is no tension at the polling stations does not fully describe the situation. There was a real festive atmosphere. They even played music in one of the polling stations that I observed (school number 5 in Dashkend). People came to vote with their children, after the parents had made their choice, the children enthusiastically and curiously put the ballots into the ballot box.

- This is how it is in Uzbekistan, - explained my companion Nemat Atamurtov, - once upon a time, our parents brought us to vote, now we bring our children...
- Did you also go to vote with your children?
- Yes.

Nemat is 37 years old and has three children. Uzbek families usually have at least 2-3 children. The country ranks 41st in the world and first in Central Asia with a population of 36 million. However, it is not a mass of people: Uzbeks have succeeded in turning the population into a real demographic capital. Although the country owns various natural resources, its biggest asset is its population. In both senses of the word. Uzbeks are golden people: Hospitable, civilized, calm, completely free from any aggression...

The capital city Tashkent is an agglomeration with a population of 5 million according to official figures, and 7-8 million according to unofficial data, which is twice more than Baku. During my 4-days visit, I did not observe any traffic jam, queues, and people arguing. For a person, tired of Baku's traffic jams, noise and urban stress, Tashkent is like nirvana.

...The same contentment was observed at the polling stations. Everything was peaceful and calm but it doesn't mean that people were passive. The polling stations open at 8 am and people go to vote early in the morning. By 11 am, more than 33% of people had already cast their votes. 

"I observed active electoral participation," Azerbaijani political scientist Murad Sadeddinov, who observed the elections as an independent observer told AzVision.az. 

"We tried to observe as many polling stations as possible during the day. All technical conditions have been created to hold free and democratic elections. All demands were met. It was even possible for people going on summer vacation to vote a few days in advance. I also participated in vote counting process. The process took place in front of the lawyers of all the candidates," Sadeddinov also said. 

The expert stated that President Shavkat Mirziyoyev was expected to win with a high percentage. Because the population sees this election as a chance to continue the reforms he initiated in all areas. Those reforms proved their effectiveness in the last 7 years and brought Uzbekistan to a new stage of development.

Filiz Kılıç, an observer from TürkPA, deputy chairman of the Nationalist Movement Party and deputy of the Turkish parliament from Nevşehir, shares a similar opinion: "We visit the polling stations jointly with the deputies of the Turkic world countries and conduct observations. We have not detected any flaws. I am certain that these elections will be a chance for Uzbekistan's development. People will observe the benefits of their votes."

Another observer from Turkey, Özgür Harun Yıldız, MP from Kocaeli province, believes the election is the backbone of democracy: "In this regard, the election in Uzbekistan is very valuable. Everyone votes at the polling stations willingly and freely. There is a slight difference in the voting procedure between Turkey and Uzbekistan. However, overall it is the same procedure."

The Russian deputy representing the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), doctor of political sciences, Gennady Semigin, stated that they did not see any issues in the stations which he visited.

In this background, the statement issued by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE ODIHR) should have surprised a normal person, because they were talking about the same election as their colleagues from other countries... Though it was not surprising. Therefore, in order not to go through the trouble of issuing a new statement every time, we understand that they read the same previously prepared document after the elections in different countries, changing the numbers. They think that the elections in Uzbekistan were held "without competition and any violations" just like in all other countries which are not located in Europe.

- Frankly speaking, Western institutions and media took a fake propaganda position regarding the election - an expert from Pakistan, director of "The Center for South & International Studies" (CSAIS) Dr Mahmood Hasan Khan told AzVision.az.

- All parties were given equal opportunities for competition. The lawyers of all the candidates watched the voting in all the stations. The evaluation made by the European media is not based on objectivity but on their fiction.

He added that this biased and fake propaganda has no sense, the main thing is that stability including economic stability in Uzbekistan will continue to exist. Mirziyoyev, the successful reformer, still has a lot of work to do to build the New Uzbekistan envisioned by him. A new era in the country begins with his victory.

Confirming that the elections were held in a normal competitive environment and with the special activity of the Uzbek society, TürkPA observer, Azerbaijani MP Fazil Mustafa emphasizes that Uzbekistan is located in a sensitive region, so it is significant to continue its stable, safe and peaceful progress:

- Shavkat Mirziyoyev's high number of votes shows that society is aware of this. During his time, Uzbekistan went through a special development track. Previous bans have disappeared. Democratic institutions are reviving. Business life is expanding, foreign companies are flocking here, ICT sector is getting stronger. Education and sports are on the rise. Local self-governance mechanisms are being improved. To continue and for Uzbekistan to become a modern state, the people voted for the candidate who followed that line.

It is possible to see what is being said with the naked eye while in Uzbekistan. The country is like an aeroplane gathering speed on the runway for take-off. The process of gathering potential in different fields is underway. Today Uzbekistan has become the most attractive country in Central Asia for foreign investors. Integration with Turkish states has heightened extensively. Azerbaijan should be mentioned separately. Azerbaijan's ties with Uzbekistan have reached the level of brotherhood with Turkey. It is no coincidence that one of the first to congratulate Shavkat Miromonovich was his Azerbaijani colleague Ilham Aliyev. "The results of the vote are an indication of the national will, a clear indication of the unlimited confidence, faith and respect of the citizens of Uzbekistan in your person, and the broad public support for the political line that you are pursuing the comprehensive development, prosperity and progress of your country," the congratulation read.

As a person who observed the process on the spot, I can confirm: It was like that.

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