CEC in preparations for Referendum
By Nigar Abbasova
Voting bulletins have been pushed for printing in Azerbaijan in connection with the forthcoming constitutional referendum, which is scheduled for September 26.
Mazahir Panahov, chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC) has recently got acquainted with the process of printing, which is currently implemented in the publishing house of the parliament [Milli Majlis]. Panahov mentioned that the CEC has already defined requirements that should be applied to the text, shape, quantity and the way of printing of bulletins. The committee took a decision to print 5.280,924 million bulletins. He also mentioned that the bulletins will be directed to the district electoral committees and further to divisional election committees.
The Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan has also published a list of media outlets that will allocate free airtime and column space for campaigns on the eve of the nationwide vote.
The free airtime and column space will be provided for groups comprising 40,000 people or over to carry out campaigns for or against the amendments proposed to the Constitution. Campaigns will be provided by Public Television and Radio Broadcasting Company, the Azerbaijan newspaper, the People’s Newspaper, and the Baku Worker newspaper. The outlets as well as other TV and radio broadcasting organizations or editorial boards of periodicals will be eligible to allocate paid airtime or column space for a campaign, should send a corresponding notification to the CEC. Moreover, they should provide information about the amount of payment later than 30 days after official announcement about the decision to hold the referendum. The Commission also plans to prepare and distribute special brochures among all participants of the referendum to enable them to get acquainted with the draft referendum act.
The commission has already approved planned schedule of its activities and events connected with the referendum. Expert panel as well as working group under the CEC will be established to investigate complaints connected with the violation of electoral rights.
Amendments are proposed to 29 articles of the Constitution.
The changes envisage extension of the presidential term from five to seven years, establishment of the first vice-president and vice-president positions in the country as well as abolishment of minimum age limit for presidential candidates, dissolution of parliament by the President.
Additionally, according to the proposed amendments, persons who have the right to participate in the parliamentary elections (at the age of 18) can be elected to the Parliament. Previously, the age limit for being nominated for the participation in parliamentary elections was 25 years.
The Constitutional Court of Azerbaijan approved the draft amendments to the Constitution at its meeting on July 25. The Court concluded that the changes proposed by President Ilham Aliyev are in line with the requirements of the Constitution of Azerbaijan and may be put up for a nationwide vote. President Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree on holding a referendum on amendments to the country’s constitution on September 26, 2016. Final results of the Referendum will be announced till October 21.
The last time changes to the Constitution were made seven years ago, following Constitutional referendum held in 2009.
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Nigar Abbasova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @nigyar_abbasova
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