Akmal Saidov

A spearhead, the only one officially registered by the Uzbek Central Electoral Commission, officially nominated Akmal Saidov (the head of the parliamentary Committee for Democratic Institutions, Non-Governmental Organizations, and Self-Government Bodies) for president.

The so called "independent candidate" immediately acquainted the meeting with the central item on his election program and promised (if and when elected) to up the role of non-governmental organizations and transfer major control functions from the state to civil institutions.

Saidov is the sixth candidate for president. This is the first presidential campaign in the history of Uzbekistan with more than two candidates running for president.

As a matter of fact, the part Saidov is going to play in the forthcoming farce does not differ from the parts to be played by all other candidates for president nominated by Fidokorlar, Milly Tiklanish, Adolat, People's Democratic Party. After all, the outcome of the race is a foregone conclusion.

Political technologists in official Tashkent's employ believe that participation of representatives of all officially recognized parties in the presidential campaign is supposed to make the election more legitimate and obscure Islam Karimov's participation. Similarly, participation of an allegedly independent candidate nominated by the population (as opposed to nomination by one meek political party or other) will enhance the effect of legitimacy. Show producers chose Saidov, fighter for human rights and freedoms tamed long ago, for this part.

And who went to the trouble of putting together the spearhead in question if the population knows only one politician - Karimov himself? The answer is simple. Representatives of non-governmental organizations were advised to nominate Saidov for president.

Legitimacy of Karimov's aspirations for another term of office has been the principal intrigue ever since inevitability of his participation in the presidential race became clear. Even now journalists are unable to address this question to functionaries of the Uzbek Liberal Department (it nominated Karimov) or Central Electoral Commission Chairman Mirzo-Ulugbek Abdusalomov. "Seven-year term of office for presidents was legalized two years ago, and Karimov has therefore served only one term," source in the national parliament told Ferghana.Ru off the record. "The constitutional provision that one and the same person cannot be the president more than two times in a row does not apply."