Uzbek citizens approved a new constitution, official figures show, with more than 90% in favour.

The head of the electoral commission, Zayniddin Nizamkhodjayev, said today that 90.21% have voted for the new constitution, Uza state news agency reported.

The constitutional amendment is widely seen primarily as a means to extend President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s term in office.

Voter turnout reached 84.54%, according to Nizamkhodjayev, meaning some 16.7 million Uzbek citizens took part in the election.

The new constitution has already been passed by the lower and upper houses of parliament.

The new constitution provides for the reduction of the Senate, the upper house of parliament, from 100 to 65 deputies. Also, it extends the president’s term of office from five to seven years.

The president may still only rule for two terms. However, President Mirsiyoyev, in office since 2016, can also run in the next election in 2026, as his two previous terms in office would no longer count, due to the constitutional amendment.

Source: Oman News Agency