Uzbekistan votes as Karimov gears up for long rule

By Maria Golovnina

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.