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Azeris vote on presidential term Azeris end president's term limit
(29 minutes later)
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. Voters in Azerbaijan have approved a proposal to lift the two-term limit for the country's president, officials say.
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. With more than half the votes counted in a constitutional referendum, 92% of Azeris voted in favour of abolishing the limit.
President Ilham Aliyev is expected to win the vote, which would allow him to extend his presidency beyond 2013. President Ilham Aliyev, who had backed the amendment, will now be able to extend his presidency beyond 2013.
The opposition has alleged ballot-rigging and urged a boycott. Opposition parties had said the change would allow President Aliyev to rule for life, and urged a boycott.
The first results are expected within hours. More than 5,000 polling stations were operating in the country's first constitutional referendum since 2002.
More than 5,000 polling stations were operating in what is the country's first constitutional referendum since 2002. Mazahir Panahov, chairman of the Central Elections Commission (CEC) told reporters in the capital Baku: "The percentages in favour are so high that we can already say that all the changes will be approved."
Mr Aliyev, 47, won re-election last October with nearly 89% of ballots cast, in a vote the opposition boycotted as unfair.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 have been his final term in office.
The proposed amendments to the constitution were 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 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. 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 Baku.