Putin sure constitutional transformations in Uzbekistan to promote Russian-Uzbek strategic partnership
MOSCOW. May 2 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the success of the constitutional referendum held in the country, the Kremlin said in a statement.
"Please accept my sincere congratulations on successfully holding the constitutional referendum. The outcomes of the nationwide voting fully confirm broad-ranging support for your course toward strengthening state institutions, protecting citizens' rights, and ensuring the country's sustainable socioeconomic development," Putin said in a message to Mirziyoyev, published on the Kremlin's website.
"We assume that constitutional transformations in Uzbekistan would help advance strategic partnership and allied relations between our states," he said.
Putin also wished Mirziyoyev new successes in his state activities.
The referendum on the draft legislation on the new constitution of Uzbekistan took place on Sunday. Over 19.7 million Uzbek citizens out of the 36.2 million population were able to vote in the referendum. The latest updates put voter turnout at 84.5%, or 16,667,097 people, including 611,320 who took part in early voting.
During the referendum, voters had to answer a single question: "Do you accept the Constitutional Law on the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan?" The proposed amendments were supported by 90.2%, or 15,034,608 voters, while 9.35%, or 1,558,817, voted against. The Uzbek Central Elections Commission has recognized 73,672 ballot papers as invalid.