New constitution to enable Mirziyoyev's reelection as Uzbek president
TASHKENT. March 15 (Interfax) - A bill on the constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan extends the presidential term from five to seven years, enabling the incumbent president Shavkat Mirziyoyev to stand in another election.
The constitutional bill, adopted by both parliament chambers, was published on Wednesday. It augments the new edition of the Uzbek constitution with 27 articles, thus increasing their total number from 128 to 155. The constitution will be updated 65%.
Article 106 of the new constitution says that "the same person cannot serve as president of the Republic of Uzbekistan for more than two consecutive terms." It extends the presidential term from five to seven years.
According to the bill, the constitutional provisions "that alter and/or otherwise affect the terms of office, the procedure and/or qualifications for the election (appointment) of public officials, apply to persons holding these positions at the time of entry into force of the constitutional bill."
"Such persons may be elected (appointed) to the said positions, alongside other citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan, consistent with the provisions of the Uzbek constitution, including the edition of this constitutional bill, irrespective of the number of consecutive terms, during which the said persons held and/or hold such positions at the time of entry into force of the constitutional bill," the new edition of the constitution says.
On March 10, the lower chamber of the Uzbek Parliament, the Legislative Chamber, scheduled a constitutional referendum for April 30. The Senate approved the decision on Tuesday.
The constitutional law will take effect on the day of official announcement of referendum results by the Uzbek Central Elections Commission.
Mirziyoyev was first elected president of Uzbekistan at an early election in December 2016, after First Uzbek President Islam Karimov passed away. He won another presidential election in October 2021 with 80.12% of the vote.