Uzbekistan’s president wins referendum vote on extending powers

A referendum on extending the presidential term limit granted Uzbekistan’s president Shavkat Mirziyoyev the right to be reelected and remain in power, potentially until 2040.

According to the Uzbek election authorities, 90.2 percent of the voters supported “resetting” Mirziyoyev’s presidential term count, with an 84.5 percent referendum turnout. The length of a president’s term in office has also been extended, from five years to seven.

Mirziyoyev has been in office since 2016. Post-referendum, he will be able to run for reelection in 2026.

The referendum also secured Uzbekistan’s ban on capital punishment in the constitution.