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Azeris vote on presidential term Azeris vote on presidential term
(about 10 hours later)
Voting has begun across Azerbaijan in a constitutional referendum to decide whether to lift the current two-term limit for the country's president. Voters in Azerbaijan have taken part in a constitutional referendum to decide whether to lift the current two-term limit for the country's president.
If carried, it would give President Ilham Aliyev the chance to extend his rule beyond 2013. Polls closed at 1900 (1500 GMT). The authorities said turnout had reached 64% two hours before the close - over the 25% needed to validate the vote.
The opposition has branded the move a farce designed to install Mr Aliyev, 47, as president for life. President Ilham Aliyev is expected to win the vote, which would allow him to extend his presidency beyond 2013.
They have called on voters to boycott the referendum, but analysts say it is almost certain to pass. The opposition has alleged ballot-rigging and urged a boycott.
More than 5,000 polling stations are operating in what is the country's first constitutional referendum since 2002. The first results are expected within hours.
Mr Aliyev won re-election last October with nearly 89% of ballots cast, in a vote the opposition boycotted as unfair. More than 5,000 polling stations were operating in what is the country's first constitutional referendum since 2002.
Mr Aliyev, 47, won re-election last October with nearly 89% of ballots cast, in a vote the opposition boycotted as unfair.
The president - son of late long-serving leader Heydar Aliyev - is in his second and what would be his final term in office.The president - son of late long-serving leader Heydar Aliyev - is in his second and what would be his final term in office.
The proposed amendments to the constitution have been put forward by his ruling faction, the Yeni (New) Azerbaijan Party. The proposed amendments to the constitution were put forward by his ruling faction, the Yeni (New) Azerbaijan Party.
Tight gripTight grip
Mr Aliyev's rule since 2003 has coincided with rapid economic growth in the Caucasus state fuelled by oil and gas pumped West from reserves in the Caspian Sea.Mr Aliyev's rule since 2003 has coincided with rapid economic growth in the Caucasus state fuelled by oil and gas pumped West from reserves in the Caspian Sea.
Azeris voice loyalty to presidentAzeris voice loyalty to president
But the opposition and human rights groups say Mr Aliyev's grip on power owes as much to strict curbs on democracy and media freedoms, and the personality cult built around his father, who died in 2003.But the opposition and human rights groups say Mr Aliyev's grip on power owes as much to strict curbs on democracy and media freedoms, and the personality cult built around his father, who died in 2003.
The proposed constitutional changes also include new media restrictions, which have been criticised by press freedom groups and local journalists.The proposed constitutional changes also include new media restrictions, which have been criticised by press freedom groups and local journalists.
Azerbaijan's authorities say they are committed to international standards of democracy, but that they have an obligation to protect the country from forces they say are trying to sow instability.Azerbaijan's authorities say they are committed to international standards of democracy, but that they have an obligation to protect the country from forces they say are trying to sow instability.
More than 45,000 local observers will be on hand at polling stations as well as 160 foreign observers in a vote which has cost more than $22m (£16m) to organise, the BBC's Tom Esslemont reports from the Azeri capital, Baku. More than 45,000 local observers were reportedly on hand at polling stations as well as 160 foreign observers in a vote which has cost more than $22m (£16m) to organise, the BBC's Tom Esslemont reports from the Azeri capital, Baku.