An early presidential election is taking place in Uzbekistan this Sunday. It has already been declared valid, with voter turnout reaching about 70 percent by 5 p.m.
Few doubt that incumbent President Shavkat Mirziyoyev will win. Following recent constitutional changes, he became eligible to seek two additional seven-year terms in office.
No opposition candidates have been allowed to participate in the election, while the three other candidates in the race are largely unknown to the general public. Even the most optimistic forecasts give them only a few percent of the vote.