CIS: Azerbaijan’s referendum results reflect people’s will
By Gunay Hasanova
Results of the referendum on constitutional amendments that envisage the extension of the presidential term reflects the real will of the country’s people, RIA Novosti quoted Sergey Lebedev, chairman of the CIS Executive Committee, as saying on September 28.
The results of referendum indicates that a large number of its supporters confirm that the Azerbaijani people support the changes to the Constitution put up for the vote, said Lebedev.
He recalled that a mission of observers from the CIS worked in the referendum in Azerbaijan.
“They say that they recognized the referendum as legitimate, transparent, democratic, reflecting the will of the people of Azerbaijan,” added the head of the CIS Executive Committee.
Azerbaijan held a nationwide vote on amending the country's founding law – the Constitution on September 26. The citizens of Azerbaijan were asked to express their will by repealing or accepting particular changes and proposals through a direct vote.
As many as 117 international observers – MPs from over 30 countries as well as observers from various international organizations, including the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) – were accredited by Azerbaijan’s CEC to observe the referendum.
Observers fixed high activity of the population, while no serious breach of law was registered. The number of polling stations in the referendum was 5,600 and there were about 10 observers in each polling station.
The proposed 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 nationwide vote will be announced until October 21.
Previously, referendums were also held in Azerbaijan in 1995, 2002. The last time changes to the Constitution were made seven years ago, following Constitutional referendum held in 2009.
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