1991 Uzbek independence election

An independence referendum was held in the Republic of Uzbekistan on 29 December 1991,[1] alongside presidential elections. The result was 98% of voters in favour, with a turnout of 94%.[2]

1991 Uzbek independence election
29 December 1991
Do you approve of the state independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan proclaimed by the Supreme Council of the Republic of Uzbekistan?
Results
Choice
Votes %
Yes 9,718,155 98.26%
No 172,294 1.74%
Valid votes 9,890,449 99.92%
Invalid or blank votes 8,258 0.08%
Total votes 9,898,707 100.00%
Registered voters/turnout 10,515,066 94.14%

Background

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In a USSR-wide referendum held in March, 95% of voters in the Uzbek SSR voted in favour of preserving the Soviet Union as "a renewed federation of equal sovereign republics in which the rights and freedom of an individual of any nationality will be fully guaranteed?". There was also a separate question asked only in the Uzbek SSR, with 95% of voters voting in favour of the proposal that the country "should remain part of a renewed Union (federation) as a sovereign republic with equal rights".[3]

However, following the attempted coup d'état in August, it was decided to seek independence.[4] Independence was subsequently declared on 31 August,[5] and the Soviet Union ceased to exist on 26 December 1991,[6] three days before the referendum.

Results

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ChoiceVotes%
For9,718,15598.26
Against172,2941.74
Total9,890,449100.00
Valid votes9,890,44999.92
Invalid/blank votes8,2580.08
Total votes9,898,707100.00
Registered voters/turnout10,515,06694.14
Source: Nohlen et al.

References

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  1. ^ Dieter Nohlen, Florian Grotz & Christof Hartmann (2001) Elections in Asia: A data handbook, Volume I, p490 ISBN 0-19-924958-X
  2. ^ Nohlen et al, p492
  3. ^ Uzbekistan, 17 March 1991: Equal sovereign republic Direct Democracy (in German)
  4. ^ Uzkekistan, 29 December 1991: Independence Direct Democracy (in German)
  5. ^ B.V. Rao (200) History Of Modern Europe (1789-1992) Sterling Publishers, p337
  6. ^ END OF THE SOVIET UNION; The Soviet State, Born of a Dream, Dies The New York Times, 26 December 1991