Uzbekistan holds referendum on revised constitution

Voters in Uzebekistan, on Sunday cast ballots in a referendum on a revised constitution that promises human rights reforms but that also would allow the country's president to stay in office until 2040.

The proposed changes include lengthening the presidential term from five to seven years, while retaining the existing two-term limit. But although President Shavkat Mirziyoyev is in his second term, the change in term length would allow him to run twice more after his current tenure ends in 2026. Other changes include abolishing capital punishment and boosting legal protections for citizens.