The CEC of Uzbekistan announced the results of the referendum on amending the constitution, which was held in the country the day before, on April 30. As the head of the commission, Zainiddin Nizamkhojaev, said at the briefing, the amendments were supported by 90.21% of those who voted. Turnout was 84.54%.
The bulletin contained only one question: “Do you accept the Constitutional Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan?”, which could be answered “yes” or “no”.
Local mediawrite about violations during the voting. For example, when men vote not only for themselves, but also for their wives and other relatives. In addition, there were no observers at some polling stations.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed to carry out a constitutional reform in 2022. The bill makes about 200 changes to the constitution, adopted in 1992, in particular, the death penalty is prohibited, and Uzbekistan is declared a "social, legal and secular" state. In addition, the amendments increase the presidential term from five to seven years. Thus, Mirziyoyev, whose second term as president began in 2021, will be able to run again and remain in power until 2040.
In July last year, protests erupted in Uzbekistan's sovereign republic of Karakalpakstan against constitutional amendments that would strip the region of sovereignty. At least 18 people were killed in the crackdown on protests and hundreds were injured or detained. As a result, the amendments relating to Karakalpakstan were withdrawn.