Uza. An important political process in the country – a national referendum on the draft Constitutional Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan" is being held.

It is worth mentioning that citizens of Uzbekistan have been actively participating in the referendum since early this morning. In particular, Eldor Tulyakov, Executive Director of the Development Strategy Center, went to the referendum polling station organized in his area and was among the first to vote.

– Today, our compatriots are showing that they are not indifferent to the political processes and reforms taking place in our country, – Mr. Tulyakov said. – They are expressing their attitude through their votes for the renewed Constitution developed based on the proposals given by our people and the general public during the past year.

Several amendments and additions related to civil society institutions are being introduced in the renewed Constitution. In particular, for the first time, a chapter entitled Civil Society Institutions and such an expression is included in the draft constitutional law.

NGOs, mahallas, mass media are listed among civil society institutions. The Cabinet of Ministers is tasked with supporting civil society institutions, ensuring their participation in the creation and implementation of socio-economic development and social partnership programs.

At the same time, civil society institutions are empowered to exercise public control over the formation and implementation of the budget of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The introduction of these norms serves to ensure the rights and legal interests of the important institutional structures that form the basis of civil society at the constitutional level, their effective operation and development, and the increase of their role in the life of society. This, in turn, increases the responsibility of members of civil society institutions.