IRI Monitors Constitutional Referendum

September 3, 2002

IRI staff and members of the U.S. Embassy in Azerbaijan observed the country's August 24, 2002 poll in which Azerbaijan citizens voted by referendum on 39 changes to the Constitution.

The referendum was ordered by presidential decree and is widely regarded as a move to further diminish transparency and democratic choice within the country. The government reported that 88 percent of voters participated in the referendum, with 97 percent approving the changes.

Opposition political parties, however, claim that only 15 percent of voters actually participated in the referendum and said the vote was marred by massive irregularities, including ballot stuffing and intimidation of voters and election commission members.

Opposition political parties have appealed to the international community not to recognize the results of the election and plan to have a street demonstration in mid-September to protest the outcome.

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