TASHKENT: The presidential elections in Uzbekistan have witnessed a significant voter turnout, exceeding 70% as of 4:00 pm (GMT+6), according to the Central Election Commission of Uzbekistan. Over 12.7 million people listed as eligible voters have already cast their votes in the elections.
Polling stations opened at 8:00 am local time, with a total of 10,784 stations commencing their operations. Additionally, 56 polling stations in 39 countries outside Uzbekistan have been established for citizens residing abroad.
Citizens have until 8:00 pm local time to exercise their voting rights. The registered number of eligible voters for the presidential elections stands at nearly 19.6 million individuals. Notably, 376,623 citizens participated in early voting from June 28 to July 1. Early voting, held from June 28 to July 5, saw the participation of 815,313 voters, with 180,729 casting their votes abroad and 634,584 within the country. The voter list comprises over 19.5 million citizens, with women constituting 53 percent and men making up the remaining 47 percent, as reported by the Central Election Commission.
Four candidates are vying for the presidency: Ulugbek Inoyatov from the People’s Democratic Party, Shavkat Mirziyoyev from the UzLiDeP Party, Robakhon Mahmudova from the “Adolat” Social Democratic Party, and Abdushukur Hmazayev from the Ecological Party of Uzbekistan.
International Observers Monitoring Uzbekistan Elections
The election is being closely monitored by international observers, with fifteen international organizations and around eight hundred observers from 47 countries present to ensure a transparent and fair electoral process. Additionally, over 53,000 local observers from political parties and citizens’ self-governing bodies are diligently overseeing the elections.
A total of 1,400 local and foreign media representatives are actively covering the election, shedding light on the democratic exercise taking place in Uzbekistan.
As of now, the Central Election Commission has not reported any violations of electoral legislation during the voting process.
The candidate who emerges victorious in the election will hold the presidency for the next seven years, as stipulated by the updated Constitution of Uzbekistan.
The Central Election Commission is expected to announce the official results of the presidential election no later than 10 days after the conclusion of the polls, which will be published on its official website and other relevant sources.
These presidential elections hold particular significance as they are the first to take place following the constitutional amendments implemented based on the results of the April 30, 2023 referendum. The amendments include an extension of the president’s term from 5 to 7 years.
The Central Election Commission of Uzbekistan continues to oversee the electoral process, ensuring a smooth and transparent election. The final results of the presidential elections will be announced after the voting concludes, and the country awaits the outcome of this crucial democratic process.
