Voters in Uzbekistan have overwhelmingly backed constitutional changes. This allows President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to remain in power until 2040, preliminary results show.
The elections commission said on Monday that more than 90 percent of voters in the Central Asian country backed the reforms. The government’s authoritarian tendencies limit space for dissent, was about 85 percent.
He insisted the overhaul of the constitution would improve governance and quality of life in the landlocked country of 35 million people. Their rights have long been heavily restricted.
But observers said Mirziyoyev is expected to benefit the most from the new constitution in the majority-Muslim country.
Although Tashkent’s Western partners are unlikely to approve of the extension of Mirziyoyev’s time in office. Uzbekistan risks little given the West is seeking support from former Soviet nations in its efforts to isolate Russia over the war in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, election observers from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). Said the referendum was not truly representative.
“Uzbekistan’s constitutional referendum was technically well prepared and widely promoted as a move to enhance various rights and freedoms. But it took place in an environment that fell short of genuine political pluralism and competition,”. An OSCE statement said on Monday