SAN SALVADOR (AP) — El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele registered as his party’s candidate to seek re-election in the country’s presidential vote next year, a decision already raising eyebrows Friday because the constitution prohibits it.

Bukele and his running mate, current vice president Félix Ulloa, were the last to register before the deadline at midnight Thursday. In typical Bukele fashion, the last-minute registration became a spectacle, coming amid rumors the president had been hospitalized. Instead, he exited electoral offices to a crowd of cheering supporters.

“We are ready to change whatever we have to change to be able to insert ourselves even more in the community of nations, but always respecting our sovereignty and independence,” said Bukele, speaking through a megaphone.