Azernews.Az

By Gunay Hasanova

Azerbaijan is preparing for the upcoming referendum in an extensive regime.

September 26, 2016, was set as the date for the referendum on proposed changes to the constitution of Azerbaijan.

A meeting on the national referendum on amendments to the country’s Constitution was conducted at the Baku Higher Oil School (BHOS).

Opening the meeting, BHOS Rector Elmar Gasimov emphasized the importance of the forthcoming referendum to be held upon a decree by the President of the Azerbaijan Republic Ilham Aliyev.

Elmar Gasimov pointed out that the referendum will become an important event in the social and political life of Azerbaijan as well as a further step in the implementation of new reforms in the country. Speaking about the changes and amendments to be included in the Constitution, he said that they would serve to the improvement of the prosperity and well-being of Azerbaijani citizens, better protection of their rights and freedoms, and further consolidation of the statehood.

In a bill recently sent to the Constitutional Court, President Ilham Aliyev proposed amendments to 29 Articles of Azerbaijan’s current constitution. The changes envisage the extension of the presidential term from five to seven years, the establishment of the first vice-president and vice-president positions in the country as well as the cancellation of minimum age limit for presidential candidates, dissolution of parliament by the president.

So far, the Chairman of Central Election Commission (CEC) has accredited 117 international observers until now to monitor the referendum on 26 September.

The head of the CEC said that they are the members of parliament and representatives of about 35 countries, including the PACE and other international organizations.

The Electoral Code of Azerbaijan indicates that the day of the popular vote should be non-working.

The Central Election Commission (CEC) has so far registered 846 observers for the upcoming referendum. The district polling stations have registered 37,429 observers.

Final results of the Referendum will be announced until October 21.

The last time changes to the Constitution were made seven years ago, following Constitutional referendum held in 2009.

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