Fast News
Pro-reform President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who took power in late 2016, is expected to secure a second term.
Uzbekistan votes in a presidential election in which incumbent President Shavkat Mirziyoyev faces no genuine opposition and is almost certain to win a second term.
Mirziyoyev’s predicted victory on Sunday will allow him to deepen his
largely successful reform campaign and likely lead to Uzbekistan
opening up further to foreign trade and investment – while
retaining a highly centralised political system.
The 64-year-old leader has rebuilt the resource-rich
country’s ties with both Russia and the West which had become
strained under his predecessor Islam Karimov, Uzbekistan’s first
post-independence president.
Mirziyoyev has also reined in the powerful security services
and oversaw a release of a number of political prisoners who had
ended up behind bars due to Karimov’s zero-tolerance approach
towards dissent.
Still, there are no real opposition parties in the mostly
Muslim nation of 34 million and the four candidates running
against Mirziyoyev have been nominated by parties that support
the president.
Mirziyoyev has pledged to cut poverty through rapid
economic growth and gradually decentralise decision-making by
devolving some powers to district councils.
Due to Covid-19 concerns, voters are required to wear masks
and observe social distancing at polling stations staffed with
medical workers.
READ MORE: Turkey and Uzbekistan agree to further strengthen bilateral relations
Source: Reuters
Uzbekistan goes to polls with no real challenge to incumbent leader
Source: News Achor Trending
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