Three Senators To Observe Uzbekistan Presidential Election

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 23 (Bernama) -- Three senators will represent Malaysia as observers at the Uzbekistan presidential election on Dec 4. They are Dewan Negara (Lower House of Parliament) deputy president Senator Abdul Halim Abd Samad, Senator Boon Som Inong and Senator Salim Sharif. Abdul Halim said in a statement Tuesday the three of them would be part of the international group of observers. The group would be deployed throughout the republic to observe the conduct and outcome of the election to ensure that it was run freely and fairly, he said. The election is being held following the death of President Islam Karimov on Sept 2 after having ruled for 25 years by winning three consecutive elections. Four candidates will contest in the upcoming election, namely Shavkat Mirziyoyev (Prime Minister and Interim President from the Liberal Democratic Party), Sarvar Otamuradov (National Revival Democratic Party), Narimon Urmanov (Justice Social Democratic Party) and Khatamjan Ketmanov (People's Democratic Party). -- BERNAMA