Projects with compulsory voting in the “Initiative Budget” to be excluded

The voting stage for the first season of this year’s “Initiative Budget” process is currently underway. However, projects involving compulsory voting will now be excluded from the voting stage, according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance.  

Reports have surfaced on social media regarding instances of compulsory voting at School No. 37 in the Kuva district of the Fergana region. Investigations conducted by the relevant authorities confirmed that employees at the school were indeed involved in forced voting.  

In response, the Ministry of Economy and Finance has submitted a proposal to the district Council of People's Deputies to remove projects linked to compulsory voting at this school from the voting process.  

For reference, compulsory voting within the “Initiative Budget” process is classified as forced labor.  

“If you encounter instances of forced voting, please report them immediately by calling the Ministry of Poverty Reduction and Employment’s hotline at 71 200-06-00,” the ministry stated.  

It is worth noting that a similar case was previously reported at Secondary School No. 8 in Chirchik, where a teacher instructed parents to vote within the framework of the “Initiative Budget.” Following this, explanatory work was conducted with primary school teacher M.L., and a strict disciplinary measure was taken. The school principal was also issued a warning.