Uzbekistan votes in parliamentary elections
Monday, 28 December 2009
TASHKENT, Dec 27 (AFP): Polls opened Sunday in parliamentary elections in the ex-Soviet Central Asian state of Uzbekistan, with all four competing parties supportive of President Islam Karimov's government.
Over 17 million voters have registered for the ballot to elect the 150-seat lower house of the parliament, the Oliy Majlis, with the authorities sending millions of text messages to get people out to vote.
Polls opened at 6:00 am (0100 GMT) and were due to close at 8:00 pm (1500 GMT). "Uzbekistan's election laws and preparations for the vote meet all international democratic standards and give voters a free and fair choice."
Over 17 million voters have registered for the ballot to elect the 150-seat lower house of the parliament, the Oliy Majlis, with the authorities sending millions of text messages to get people out to vote.
Polls opened at 6:00 am (0100 GMT) and were due to close at 8:00 pm (1500 GMT). "Uzbekistan's election laws and preparations for the vote meet all international democratic standards and give voters a free and fair choice."