Voters in Uzbekistan are casting their ballots today, Sunday, on constitutional amendments that expand social protection while also allowing President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to remain in power until 2040.
Although the current constitution and the proposed amendments stipulate a limit of two consecutive presidential terms, officials have indicated that if the public approves the amendments, Mirziyoyev's term will reset.
The amendments propose changing the presidential term from five years to seven years, which could theoretically enable Mirziyoyev to lead the country, with a population of 35 million, until 2040.
Additionally, the amendments abolish the death penalty and establish a broader network of personal legal protections, such as individual rights in cases of police detention, the concept of judicial oversight, and protection from unlawful detention for unspecified durations.
A voter named Nazira (62 years old) commented, "Our lives are improving, and I hope they continue to improve under this president. I have no objections to extending the presidential terms and support it. I thank the president for what he does for us."
The referendum will be considered legal if more than half of the country's 19.7 million voters participate. Preliminary voting results are expected to be announced tomorrow, Monday.
Mirziyoyev (65 years old) has been praised both domestically and internationally as a liberal reformer due to his departure from the isolationist, police-state policies of the previous leadership.
While it is unlikely that Uzbekistan's western partners will accept any attempts to extend Mirziyoyev's rule, the potential consequences for the country are minimal, given that the West is seeking support from all former Soviet states in its efforts to isolate Russia due to the war in Ukraine.
