The Law "On the Status of Deputies in the Republic of Uzbekistan" is of a significant importance in organizing the work of the Parliament. This law ensures major powers of the deputy of the Oliy Majlis, determines his or her relationship with political parties and local authorities, rights and responsibilities within the Parliament as well as within territorial constituencies. The document also defines the right of the deputy to join official fractions, coalitions and deputy groups, guarantees the protection of the deputy's rights, honour and dignity. 

The Parliament of Uzbekistan is unicameral and consists of 250 deputies elected by territorial constituencies on a multi-party basis for a term of five years. Last parliamentary elections were held in December 1999.

Deputies of the Oliy Majlis are joined with party fractions and blocs. There are 4 official party fractions and 2 deputy blocs: the fraction of the deputies of the People's Democratic Party (49 deputies), "Fidokorlar" ("Patriots") National Democratic Party (54 deputies), "Adolat" ("Justice") Social-Democratic Party (11 deputies) and "Milliy Tiklanish" ("National Renaissance") (10 deputies).  The deputy bloc elected from representative authorities consists of 107 deputies and the bloc of the electorate initiative groups includes 16 members.

All party fractions and blocs have equal rights and can independently organize their activity only after registration with the Oliy Majlis.  They preliminary discuss drafts of legislation and other documents introduced to the Parliament, develop proposals on amending certain articles and regulations of bills.

The Chairman of the Oliy Majlis and three Vice-Chairmen preside at the Parliament. They as well as heads of committees and commissions, leaders of party fractions and deputy blocs form the Council of the Oliy Majlis, which is in charge of organizing and exercising the activity of the Parliament. The Council makes preparation for the sessions of the Parliament, coordinates the activity of committees and commissions, organizes the planning of draft projects, and takes up other issues related to the work of the Oliy Majlis.

There are 13 committees and 3 commissions in the Parliament. They are: the Committee on budget, banking and finance; the Committee on reforming the economy and entrepreneurship; the Committee on science, education, culture and sport; the Committee on industry, transport and communications; the Committee on agriculture, hydroeconomics and food; the Committee on welfare and employment; the Committee on ecology and environment protection; the committee on media and information; the Committee on defense and security; the Committee on democratic institutions, non-governmental organizations and autonomous bodies; the commission on youth affaires; the commission on order, ethics and deputies' activity; the Commission on family and women issues; the Commission on normative-legal terms.

Plenipotentiary of the Oliy Majlis on Human Rights (Ombudsman) is elected form among the deputies of the Parliament to coordinate the work of the Commission on observation of constitutional rights and freedoms of citizens, which has been formed on a voluntary basis.

According to the Article 76. of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the exclusive powers of the Oliy Majlis include:

• adoption and amendment of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

• enactment and amendment of the laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

• determination of the guidelines of internal and foreign policies of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

• determination of the structure and powers of the legislative, executive and judicial branches of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

• admission of new states into the Republic of Uzbekistan and approval of their decisions to secede from the Republic of Uzbekistan;

• legislative regulation of customs as well as the currency and credit systems

• legislative regulation of the administrative and territorial structure, alteration of frontiers of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

• approval of the budget of the Republic of Uzbekistan submitted by the Cabinet of Ministers, and control over its execution; determination of taxes and other compulsory payments;

• scheduling elections to the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and local representative bodies, formation of the Central Election Committee;

• setting the date of elections for the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on completion of his term in office;

• election of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

• election of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

• election of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

• election of the Higher Arbitration Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

• ratification of decrees of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the appointment of and removal of the Prime Minister, First deputy Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Ministers and the members of the Cabinet of Ministers;

• ratification of the decrees of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the appointment and removal of the Procurator General of the Republic of Uzbekistan and his Deputies;

• appointment and removal of the Chairman of the Board of the Central Bank of the Republic of Uzbekistan upon the nomination by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

• ratification of the decrees of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the formation and abolition of ministries, state committees and other bodies of state administration;

• ratification of the decrees of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on general and partial mobilization, and on the declaration, prolongation and discontinuance of a state of emergency; 

• ratification and denouncement of international treaties and agreements;

• institution of state awards and honorary titles;

• formation, annulment and renaming of districts, towns, cities and regions and alteration of their boundaries;

• execution of other powers defined by the present Constitution.

At present the Parliament of the Republic of Uzbekistan is in the process of accomplishing an important task – assertion of the principles of supremacy of law in the society, further development of the legal basis for deepening economic and political reforms, protection of rights and interests of citizens, and enhancing of the prestige of independent Uzbekistan in the world community.