Citizens react ahead of Uzbekistan's election Citizens in ex-Soviet Uzbekistan head to the first parliamentary polls since a new leader ushered in optimistic reforms, but choice at the ballot box remains scant. Shavkat Mirziyoyev took charge over Central Asia's most populous country in 2016 -- the same year hardline predecessor and former patron Islam Karimov died after nearly three decades in power. Over 20 million people are eligible to vote in the Muslim-majority republic where 33 million people live. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES from Uzbek citizens