CEC: Over 77% of voters cast ballots in presidential elections

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- As of 17:00 of 4 December, over 77% of 20.429 million registered voters cast their votes in the presidential elections in Uzbekistan, the Central Election Commission of Uzbekistan (CEC) said.

Chairperson of the CEC Mirzo-Ulugbek Abdusalov said at the briefing on 4 December 2016 the voting is continuing at polling stations in Uzbekistan and at the missions of Uzbekistan abroad. He said that the elections were closed in some missions.

Over 15.73 million voters from 20.429 million registered voters voted in the presidential elections in Uzbekistan, which makes up 77% of total votes.

In accordance with Article 35 of the Law "On Elections of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan" elections of President of Uzbekistan declared valid, the CEC said. In line with the legislation of Uzbekistan, more than 33% of registered voters should turn up at the polls to recognize them as valid.

He added that the CEC did not receive any information on violations of election legislation during the voting.

The voting process continues. The polling stations will work till 20:00 Tashkent time.

The Central Election Commission registered four candidates to the post of the President of Uzbekistan – from the Movement of Entrepreneurs and Businessmen - Liberal-Democratic Party of Uzbekistan – Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the People’s Democratic Party of Uzbekistan – Hotamjon Ketmonov, the Democratic Party of Uzbekistan "Milly Tiklanish" – Sarvat Otamuratov and the Social-democratic party "Adolat" – Narimon Umarov.

About 3600 observers from five international organizations – the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (ODIHR OSCE), Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Shanghai Cooperation Organization, World Association of electoral bodies and Organization of the Islamic Cooperation, as well as 50 states – participated in elections.

In addition, more than 37,500 observers from political parties, representatives of the media participated in the voting process.