The Uzbeks were invited to go to the polls this Sunday to elect their representative.

But it is no big surprise that Chavkat Mirzioïev, the outgoing president, should emerge victorious from these presidential elections.

The 64-year-old has ruled Central Asia's most populous country since 2016, is hailed for abolishing forced labor, opening up the economy and freeing opponents tortured by his ruthless predecessor, Islam Karimov.

Recently, however, he has returned to more habits of the past, repressing several critical figures.

His detractors also accuse him of having ruled out any real opposition during the election.

For this election, Chavkat Mirzioïev faced four candidates considered to be puppets and who refrained from criticizing him during the campaign.

For the majority of observers, the result of the vote is therefore decided in advance.

"I don't like any of the choices offered"

Barely five hours after the opening of the offices, the Electoral Commission indicated on Sunday that the turnout already exceeded 50%. Voting is due to end at 3:00 p.m. GMT. In 2016, Chavkat Mirzioev won the election with 88.6% of the vote and a turnout of 87%. Results similar to those of Islam Karimov, in power for 27 years and who had made Uzbekistan one of the most authoritarian countries in the world.

In Tashkent, the capital, many voters approached Sunday's election without enthusiasm.

"I don't like any of the choices on offer," said Georgy, a 45-year-old man on condition of anonymity.

He added that he would vote “against them all, including him,” an allusion to Chavkat Mirzioev.

Zera, a 55-year-old woman, said she supported the outgoing president, while expressing her fear about neighboring Afghanistan.

“This country worries me a lot since they (the Taliban) took power.

"

Growing repression of the opposition

Frontier of Afghanistan, Uzbekistan is located in a region as difficult as it is strategic, where Russia and China exert a strong influence. This landlocked country, with a population of around 34 million, was once a major stopover on the ancient Silk Road, a situation that made cities such as Samarkand and Bukhara fortunate. Five years after Karimov's death, Uzbekistan is undoubtedly looking more free. Chavkat Mirzioyev in particular put an end to forced labor in the cotton fields, including thousands of children, a measure hailed worldwide.

But the last two years of his first term have been marked by growing repression of critical voices. An academic seen as one of his few real opponents, Khidirnazar Allakulov, has been banned from running for president. The pandemic has also halted strong economic growth, plunging tourism into the abyss and fueling popular discontent. Unemployment and the cost of living have risen sharply. Extremely rare, demonstrations even erupted last year in reaction to energy shortages.

For Temour Oumarov, specialist in Central Asia, Chavkat Mirzioïev is faced with a delicate equation: to continue to reform without touching the authoritarian system inherited from Karimov and from which the elite benefit.

“Corruption still exists at the top of government, but power turns a blind eye,” he said.

But, “at the same time, society is more dynamic than before and will not be happy if the government does not continue the reforms.

Last month, President Mirzioev argued that the definition of democracy in Uzbekistan was not the same as in other countries.

And he warned of instability.

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