Uzbekistan changes presidential election rules

The Senate of the Oliy Majlis (the Supreme Assembly) of Uzbekistan has approved a number of amendments to the law on presidential election.

Now a person will need just 1% (rather than 5%) of all votes to be able to run for presidency.

The Uzbek Senators believe that it is too hard and costly for a person to collect 5% of votes (almost 1,000,000 votes).

The amendments also prohibit canvassing the day before the voting and give the right to vote to people in custody unless they are already sentenced to terms in jail.