By Bahtiyar Abdukerimov

TASHKENT, (AA): Prime Minister Shavkat Mirziyoyev was elected president of Uzbekistan, the Central Election Commission said Monday.

Mirziyoyev, who took over as acting president when long-serving leader, Islam Karimov died in September after 27 years in office. The Liberal Democratic Party leader secured 88.61 percent of the votes in Sunday’s election.

Hotamjon Ketmonov of the People’s Democratic Party claimed 3.73 percent of the votes while Sarvar Otamuratov from the National Revival Democratic Party received 2.35 percent. Nariman Umarov from the Justice Social Democratic Party secured 3.46 percent.

More than 20 million Uzbeks were eligible to vote in the election, which was monitored by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

In a statement late Monday, Turkey’s Foreign Ministry praised the election, saying it had been carried out in a “peaceful” environment, and pledged to continue to boost relations with Uzbekistan.

It also said Turkey was “ready” to support Mirziyoyev’s efforts for the welfare of the Uzbek people.

* Diyar Guldogan contributed to this report from Ankara.
[Photo: Shavkat Mirziyoyev newly-elected President from Liberal Democrat Party of Uzbekistan addresses to his supporters as the pre-term election results are announced after presidential elections in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on December 05, 2016.

Photographer:  Muhabiri Bahtiyar Abdukerimov/AA]