2015 Uzbek presidential election explained

Country:Uzbekistan
Type:presidential
Turnout:91.08%
Previous Election:2007 Uzbek presidential election
Previous Year:2007
Next Election:2016 Uzbek presidential election
Next Year:2016
Election Date:29 March 2015
Image1:Karimov Ufa (cropped).jpg
Nominee1:Islam Karimov
Party1:Uzbekistan Liberal Democratic Party
Popular Vote1:17,122,597
Percentage1:91.83%
Nominee2:Akmal Saidov
Party2:Uzbekistan National Revival Democratic Party
Popular Vote2:582,688
Percentage2:3.12%
President
Before Election:Islam Karimov
Before Party:Uzbekistan Liberal Democratic Party
After Election:Islam Karimov
After Party:Uzbekistan Liberal Democratic Party

Presidential elections were held in Uzbekistan on 29 March 2015.[1] The result was a victory for incumbent President Islam Karimov, who received over 90% of the vote.[2] [3] Karimov's win gave him a fourth consecutive term as president, dating back to 1990.

Background

A constitutional law on presidential elections was approved by the Senate on 23 March 2012,[4] which required presidential elections to be held 90 days after parliamentary elections.[5] Elections to the Legislative Chamber were held over two-rounds, the first on 23 December 2014 and the second on 4 January 2015.

The law change effectively shortened the term of incumbent President Islam Karimov by several months, as under the previous law, the elections would have been held on 27 December 2015.[4] Though the constitution limits presidents to two terms in office, the Central Election Commission allowed Karimov to run again, arguing that Karimov had only served one term since the constitution was adopted in 2002, and that his previous two terms before that should not count.[6]

Candidates

The candidates were:

All candidates were loyal to Karimov.[9]

Conduct

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe stated that the Uzbek poll lacked genuine opposition.[3] Steve Swerdlow at Human Rights Watch called the vote a "sham election".[10] Observers from the Commonwealth of Independent States and Shanghai Cooperation Organisation called the election "open, free, and democratic," and said it had proceeded "openly and democratically," respectively.[11]

Notes and References

  1. http://itar-tass.com/en/world/769443 Uzbekistan to hold presidential polls in late March
  2. Web site: Uzbek leader Karimov wins presidential election by landslide . The Globe and Mail. 30 March 2015. 30 March 2015.
  3. Web site: Veteran Uzbek leader re-elected in vote OSCE brands undemocratic. 30 Mar 2015.
  4. http://www.uznews.net/en/politics/19440-karimov-surreptitiously-shortens-presidential-term-of-office Karimov surreptitiously shortens presidential term of office
  5. http://en.ca-news.org/news:541316/ Election of President of Uzbekistan to take place on March 22, 2015
  6. Web site: Uzbekistan: Tashkent Voters Back Strongman as He Cruises to Victory. Lillis. Joanna. 2015-03-29. Eurasianet.org. 2015-03-31.
  7. http://www.rferl.org/content/karimov-reelection-nomination-uzbekistan/26794872.html Karimov Nominated For Reelection In Uzbekistan
  8. http://www.uzbekembassy.org/e/elect_2015 Elections 2015
  9. Web site: Veteran Uzbek leader re-elected in vote OSCE brands undemocratic.
  10. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/apr/04/uzbekistan-islam-karimov-fourth-term-corruption Human rights activists’ dismay as Uzbekistan autocrat clings to power
  11. Web site: Uzbekistan's Dictator Grabs Fourth Term in Opposition-Free Poll. Lillis. Joanna. 2015-03-30. Eurasianet.org. 2015-03-31.