Polls close in Uzbekistan’s parliamentary election held without real opposition

Polls have closed in Uzbekistan’s parliamentary election that featured no real opposition to the Central Asian country’s strongman president. That’s despite a recent overhaul of the electoral system and years of reform that have included economic liberalization and easing censorship. Shavkat Mirziyoyev retains a tight grip on power in the country of 37 million. He has enjoyed broad support since taking office in 2016 for political and economic reforms that eased his predecessor’s repressive policies. All candidates running in Sunday’s election have been nominated by Uzbekistan’s five registered parties, none of which oppose Mirziyoyev.