In the first ever presidential election held in Uzbekistan, turnout reached 60.74 percent by 15:00 local time, according to Bakhrom Kuchkarov, deputy chairman of the Central Election Commission. The briefing noted that about 11,705,357 voters had cast ballots by that time, underscoring broad participation in the historic vote.
The election commission explained that a turnout of 33 percent is the minimum required for the election to be deemed valid. This threshold was surpassed within roughly three hours of the ballot boxes opening, signaling strong initial engagement. By 13:00 local time, turnout had already climbed to about 52 percent.
Polling is scheduled to continue until 20:00 local time on Sunday, with results expected in the morning hours of the following day, July 10. The vote takes place after constitutional amendments increased the presidential term from five to seven years, a change that reflects a new chapter in Uzbekistan’s political timeline.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev participated in the election process by casting his ballot as part of the opening day procedures.
Meanwhile, a remark from former German Chancellor Olaf Scholz touched on security and regional alignment, noting the stance on Ukraine joining NATO within the current geopolitical context.