Uzbekistan announces early presidential poll 8 days after updating constitution

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) – Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on Monday declared that the country will hold an early presidential election, eight days after the country voted in a referendum in favor of updating the country’s constitution.

“Using the powers granted to the president of the country by Article 128 of the updated constitution, I signed the second important decree. In accordance with it, early presidential elections will be held in the country,” Mirziyoyev said at a meeting with members of the chambers of the Oliy Majlis, the bicameral parliament of Uzbekistan.

However, the president did not specify the election date.

He listed four reasons for his decision, the first of which was the changing relationship and balance of power in the country.

Mirziyoyev added that the updated constitution sets “new political, social and economic tasks for the president, parliament, government, ministers, and governors that cannot be delayed,” and that the Uzbek people expect “important and urgent changes and reforms from us in all areas.”

“Fourthly, in the current situation where sharp and complex processes are prevailing in the world and in our region, finding the right and effective way of development and its implementation is becoming the most acute and urgent issue,” the president said.

He contended that holding early presidential elections would be the "most correct and fair decision" under the current circumstances, in which the Uzbek people would give a mandate to "a leader they trust" within "renewed system of state power."

“The elections will be held in full compliance with the law, openly and transparently. I am convinced that at the same time, political parties and presidential candidates will put forward new ideas and initiatives that will serve the peace and prosperity of the country, the growth of the well-being of the people,” he said.

Uzbekistan’s Central Election Commission announced on May 1 that a draft law on the country’s new constitution, which envisioned increasing the president's term from five to seven years, was overwhelmingly supported by 90.21% of registered voters in a referendum.

The bill added 27 new articles to Uzbekistan's previous 128-article constitution and increased the number of constitutional norms from 275 to 434, while also reducing the number of Senate members from 100 to 65 and transferring some of the president's duties and powers to parliament.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​