Voters in Uzbekistan are casting ballots in a referendum on a revised structure that guarantees human rights reforms however may also permit the nation’s president to remain in workplace till 2040.

With elections in Uzbekistan broadly thought to be non-competitive, approval seems sure and supporters of the adjustments have carried out an array of promotional occasions that includes native celebrities.

The proposed adjustments embrace lengthening the presidential time period from 5 to seven years, whereas retaining the prevailing two-term restrict. But though President Shavkat Mirziyoyev is at the moment in his second time period, the change in time period size would permit him to run twice extra after his present tenure ends in 2026.

Other adjustments embrace abolishing capital punishment and boosting authorized protections for residents, together with these accused of crimes.

Under Mr Mirziyoyev’s predecessor Islam Karimov, Uzbekistan was one of many area’s most repressive nations.

Mr Mirziyoyev, who took over after Mr Karimov died in 2016, touts the constitutional adjustments as displaying that Uzbekistan will make freedoms and human rights paramount.

The referendum was initially deliberate for final yr, however was delay within the wake of unrest within the Karakalpakstan area when it was introduced that the adjustments would come with rescinding the realm’s proper to vote on whether or not to secede.

Although the chance of secession could be very small, the proposal angered residents of the poor and environmentally beleaguered republic that makes up a 3rd of Uzbekistan’s territory however holds solely about 5% of the nation’s 36 million individuals. Mass unrest broke out within the Karakalpak capital Nukus, and at the least 18 individuals died in clashes with police.

The new package deal being voted on on Sunday retains the Karakalpakstan secession proper.