Mirziyoyev re-elected as Uzbekistan’s president

KABUL (Pajhwok): Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has been re-elected for a second five-year term, indicate preliminary election results,

However, Western observers have criticised the vote as uncompetitive despite recent political reforms.

Al-Jazeera reported Mirziyoyev swept to victory with 80.1 percent of the vote in Sunday’s election. Uzbekistan’s Central Election Commission put voter turnout at 80.8 percent.

The 64-year-old Mirziyoyev spoke to campaign staff and reporters shortly after his widely expected win was declared.

“I am grateful to and bow in front of our mothers, sisters, daughters and fellow party members for trusting and choosing me,” Mirziyoyev remarked.

Zayniddin Nizamkhodjaev, the election commission’s chairman, insisted the vote adhered to democratic standards.

But observers from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) said Mirziyoyev’s reform agenda had not yet resulted in a genuinely pluralistic environment.

“While multiple candidates contested the election, there was no meaningful engagement with each other or with voters, and candidates refrained from challenging or criticising the incumbent,” the observation mission said in a statement.

nh/mud