Uzbekistan has voted in a presidential election in which incumbent President Shavkat Mirziyoyev faces no genuine opposition and is almost certain to win a second term.
Voting ended in the elections with 80.8 percent turnout, authorities said on Sunday.
Uzbekistan held the polls to choose a president for the next five years, with incumbent Shavkat Mirziyoyev widely expected to win a second term.
Five candidates are vying for the presidential office.
Over 16.36 million registered voters cast their votes at 10,760 polling stations from at 0300-1500 GMT (8 AM to 8 PM local), Zayniddin Nizamhocayev, chairman of the Central Election Commission of Uzbekistan, told reporters.
To win the election, a candidate must get more than half of the votes, else the top two contenders will go to a second round.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.
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.
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