Azernews.Az

By Laman Ismayilova

A Bureau of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has unanimously approved a memorandum of the head of the PACE assessment mission for the Constitutional referendum in Azerbaijan and Macedonian delegation to the Assembly, Aleksandar Nikoloski.

The document says that “the referendum was organized in accordance with the national legislation and the Constitution of Azerbaijan and is considered legal and legitimate. The voting process was transparent, well organized, efficient and peaceful throughout polling day, and no serious violations were observed during the counting process.

“That is why we respect the will of the Azerbaijani people; the result of the referendum, in favor of adoption of the modifications to the Constitution, expresses the willingness of the people of Azerbaijan to take a step forward towards safe, stable and sustainable development of their country and to target the establishment of a more efficient system of governance and the implementation of more meaningful reforms needed for the country to respond to the democratic and economic challenges it faces.”

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.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz