Freedom House has issued a statement regarding the constitutional referendum held in Azerbaijan on Monday, contact.az reports.

According to the statement, the Azerbaijani Central Election Commission (CEC) accepted the results of the referendum and approved Constitutional changes despite serious voting irregularities.

“Azerbaijan’s election commission ignored its own requirements by accepting the results of the September 26 referendum despite well-documented ballot stuffing, the detention of people protesting the procedures, and other serious irregularities,” said Robert Herman, the organization’s vice president for international programs.

 “The government showed its disregard for the fundamental rights of its citizens,” he added.

The statement also notes that the CEC announced that the constitutional changes were supported by more than 90 percent of the voters. It also recalls that the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe issued a preliminary opinion criticizing the amendments.