Armenia says voters approved sweeping constitutional reform

With 93 percent of the vote in a December 6 referendum counted, officials say 63.5 percent voted in favor of the changes, which were proposed by President Serzh Sarkisian.

The opposition has said the changes are intended to enable Sarkisian to remain in power after his final term as president expires in 2018.

The opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK) has rejected the election commission's preliminary results. Opposition groups alleged serious voting irregularities throughout the day of voting.

HAK official Levon Zurabian said on December 7 that the government secured the positive result through ballot-box stuffing, multiple voting, and vote buying. He also rejected the claim that nearly one-half of eligible voters participated.

 

(RFE/RL)