1995 Uzbek presidential term referendum

A referendum on extending President Islam Karimov's term was held in Uzbekistan on 26 March 1995.[1] The proposal would see Karimov remain in office until 2000. It was approved by 99.6% of voters, with a 99% turnout.[2] The referendum was held a few months before Karimov's current term was due to expire, as he had been elected in December 1991.

1995 Uzbek presidential term referendum
26 March 1995
Extension of the term of the President until 2005
Results
Choice
Votes %
Yes 11,199,415 99.64%
No 40,617 0.36%
Valid votes 11,240,032 99.96%
Invalid or blank votes 4,996 0.04%
Total votes 11,245,028 100.00%
Registered voters/turnout 11,319,447 99.34%

Conduct

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The United States criticized the referendum for its "lack of public debate", and noted several cases where one person cast votes for their entire family. At the time, Karimov publicly stated that he considered the referendum to be the equivalent of re-election for a second term, which under the Constitution would have required him to leave office in 2000. However, the legislature passed a resolution opposing the decision, leading Karimov to announce he would run for re-election in 2000.[3]

Results

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ChoiceVotes%
For11,199,41599.64
Against40,6170.36
Total11,240,032100.00
Valid votes11,240,03299.96
Invalid/blank votes4,9960.04
Total votes11,245,028100.00
Registered voters/turnout11,319,44799.34
Source: Nohlen et al., Direct Democracy

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 Human Rights Practices Archived 2010-07-11 at the Wayback Machine United States Department of State, 1995