CEC accredits 117 observers for referendum: CEC Chairman
By Gunay Hasanova
The Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan accredited 117 international observers until today to monitor the referendum on 26 September said on September 22, said the CEC Chairman Mazahir Panahov.
The head of the CEC noted that they are the members of parliament and representatives of about 35 countries, including the PACE and other international organizations.
"The number of Azerbaijani citizens who has expressed a desire to observe the electoral process is quite sufficient”, he said.
“There are representatives of political parties, ordinary citizens taking an initiative to observe the electoral process, as well as, representatives of agitation groups among them. The total number of observers is approximately 53,000 people. There will be more than 5,600 polling stations in the elections. Thus, there will be almost 10 observers in each polling station," Panahov added.
Mazahir Panahov stressed that all the conditions are created at the highest level for conducting referendum and voting.
In addition, the CEC Chairman said that they have tested the installed web cameras in the polling stations with the Minister of Communications and High Technologies Ramin Guluzade.
“Quality of visibility is at a high level in all areas. We try to provide the electricity supply and telephone connection to these areas without any problems,” said Panahov.
Moreover, the head of the CEC said that by going on the CEC website, anyone from any part of the world will be able to observe the electoral process online through web cameras.
September 26, 2016, was set as the date for the referendum on proposed changes to the constitution of Azerbaijan.
The Electoral Code of Azerbaijan indicates that the day of the popular vote should be non-working.
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.
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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