Uzbekistan votes on changes that extend President's tenure, promise human rights reform

Voters in Uzbekistan, the most populous former Soviet Central Asian republic, cast ballots on April 30 in a referendum on a revised Constitution that promises human rights reforms but that also would allow the country’s President to stay in office until 2040.

Voters in Uzbekistan, the most populous former Soviet Central Asian republic, cast ballots on April 30 in a referendum on a revised Constitution that promises human rights reforms but that also would allow the country's President to stay in office until 2040.

Approval appears certain. Backers have conducted an array of promotional events featuring local celebrities, and elections in Uzbekistan are widely regarded as noncompetitive.

With four hours until the polls closed, the Central elections commission reported turnout at more than 62%, well above the 50% threshold for the referendum to be valid.

The proposed changes include lengthening the presidential term from five to seven years, while retaining the existing two-term limit.

Although President Shavkat Mirziyoyev is in his second term, the change in term length would allow him to run twice more after his current tenure ends in 2026.

Other changes include abolishing capital punishment and boosting legal protections for citizens, including those accused of crimes.

Under Mr. Mirziyoyev's predecessor, Islam Karimov, Uzbekistan was one of the region's most repressive countries.