Lukashenko formalizes constitutional change passed in October's referendum

2004-11-17 11:00:00

Minsk, 17 November. Aleksandr Lukashenko on Wednesday signed a document formalizing the constitutional change adopted as a result of the October 12-17 referendum, removing the two-term limit on the presidency. The ceremony took place in the Oval Hall of the House of Government with the attendance of newly elected members of the House of Representatives and Council of the Republic, and high-ranking government officials. In her opening speech, Lidiya Yermoshina, head of the central election commission, noted that the national plebiscite had been held in full compliance with laws. According to the top election official, 6,307,395 voters, or 90.28 percent of the total number, cast ballots in the referendum. As many as 5,548,477 people, or 79.4 percent of all registered voters, reportedly said "yes" in the plebiscite. "No irregularities that could influence the results of the plebiscite were discovered," Ms. Yermoshina stressed.