Uzbekistan votes as Karimov gears up for long rule
TASHKENT (Reuters) - Uzbeks head to the polls on Sunday in an election certain to extend President Islam Karimov's long rule and criticized by the opposition and human rights activists as a Soviet-style contest.
In power since 1989, Karimov is accused by international rights groups of violating basic freedoms in his Central Asian homeland. Karimov was condemned in the West in 2005 when troops opened fire on a protest in the town of Andizhan.
"Under no circumstances one should accept this election as legitimate," said Nigara Khidoyatova, leader of the unregistered opposition Ozod Dekhkonlar party.
"We live in an ugly and amoral regime which admits no human values. And the main element of this are lies and falsification. The election ... is just a show for Western nations."
On Sunday, Karimov faces a line-up analysts say is designed to give the election the veneer of a democratic vote.
Uzbekistan, which borders Afghanistan, is at the heart of a geopolitical power struggle between the West and Russia which sees Central Asia as its traditional sphere of interest.
Karimov, who won the previous election in 2000 with 92 percent of the ballot, has vowed to hold a transparent vote and bring more democracy if re-elected.
"Our main principle is ... transparency and openness," said Central Election Commission Chairman Mirzoulugbek Abdusalomov.
From Uzbekistan's western deserts near the Aral Sea to the fertile plains of the Ferghana valley, more than 16 million eligible voters will cast their ballots between 6:00 a.m. (8 p.m. Saturday EST) and 8:00 p.m. (10 a.m. Sunday EST).
There are no registered opposition parties in Uzbekistan and most opposition leaders live in exile abroad. Public criticism of Karimov is taboo. Human rights activists say there are more than 5,000 political prisoners in Uzbek jails.
"None of the conditions exist for free and fair elections," U.S.-based Human Rights Watch said in a statement. "While there are four candidates, it would be absurd to speak of a competitive process. There is no real choice."
Akhtam Shaimardanov, a leading rights activist, said he would urge the West to put pressure on Karimov after the vote.
"It will be tantamount to a coup," he said. "We'll urge the global community not to accept it as a legitimate election."
The election monitoring arm of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe has sent a small mission to Tashkent to watch the vote. It criticized Uzbekistan this month for suppressing opposition voices ahead of the ballot.
Three other candidates are Dilorom Tashmukhamedova from the Adolat party, Asliddin Rustamov from People's Democratic party, and Akmal Saidov, a parliament deputy.
Most people expressed apathy and lack of interest in the election.
"Life is hard. There is money in Tashkent but the villages are in a dire state," said one resident who, like most others, asked not to be quoted by name. "We want things to improve of course. But with Karimov -- I don't know," he added and laughed.
