Referendum on ending presidential term limits set for March 18
The Azerbaijani parliament voted on Friday to hold a
nationwide poll to scrap the constitutional provision banning the
election of a president more than twice. Under a bill on the
changes to the Constitution, passed in the legislature 100 to 7,
the referendum was scheduled for March 18.
The draft Act of Referendum on Addenda and Amendments to the Constitution was approved by Azerbaijan`s Constitutional Court last Wednesday, after its overwhelming backing in parliament. The existing provision was replaced with one that envisions extending the presidential term in office in the event of war.
Several protesters were detained outside the Constitutional Court after it ruled that holding the referendum would be legal.
Over 20 legislative changes had been proposed, including those concerning the rights and status of former presidents of Azerbaijan, renaming the National Bank of Azerbaijan to the Central Bank; allowing draft laws to be submitted for parliamentary approval by petitions containing signatures of 40,000 citizens; and additional proposals.
Ali Ahmadov, deputy chairman of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party, said in his address that the parliament`s approving the referendum, which was brought before the legislature on December 19, was unequivocally supported by the Azerbaijani public.
"Public discussions held in the past period prove this. Another argument that confirms this view is that the Constitutional Court deemed the proposals of the Milli Majlis on holding a referendum as fully compliant with the country`s legislation."
Some lawmakers opposed the constitutional changes, with the leader of the Umid (Hope) Party Igbal Aghazada claiming they seek "to extend the existence of incumbent authorities."
Panah Huseyn, an MP from the opposition Musavat party, said no one has the right to serve as president for more than two terms in any of the Council of Europe (CE) member states.
"We have never witnessed such changes in the CE region, as they take place only in countries like Zimbabwe," the lawmaker maintained.
"Given that most of the election commissions are controlled by incumbent authorities, we do not trust the outcome of the referendum, and we have said this from the very beginning," he said.
Further, Huseyn alleged that influential non-governmental organizations are opposed to the current Referendum Act. "Therefore, we believe this is not a result of reforms, but is a manifestation of a lack of democracy."
The Azerbaijani president is elected for five years. The country`s Constitution was adopted in 1995 and was subsequently amended in 2002.
Changes to Azerbaijan`s Constitution may be enacted only by holding a referendum. If amendments are proposed by parliament or the president, they must be approved by the Constitutional Court.
The draft Act of Referendum on Addenda and Amendments to the Constitution was approved by Azerbaijan`s Constitutional Court last Wednesday, after its overwhelming backing in parliament. The existing provision was replaced with one that envisions extending the presidential term in office in the event of war.
Several protesters were detained outside the Constitutional Court after it ruled that holding the referendum would be legal.
Over 20 legislative changes had been proposed, including those concerning the rights and status of former presidents of Azerbaijan, renaming the National Bank of Azerbaijan to the Central Bank; allowing draft laws to be submitted for parliamentary approval by petitions containing signatures of 40,000 citizens; and additional proposals.
Ali Ahmadov, deputy chairman of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party, said in his address that the parliament`s approving the referendum, which was brought before the legislature on December 19, was unequivocally supported by the Azerbaijani public.
"Public discussions held in the past period prove this. Another argument that confirms this view is that the Constitutional Court deemed the proposals of the Milli Majlis on holding a referendum as fully compliant with the country`s legislation."
Some lawmakers opposed the constitutional changes, with the leader of the Umid (Hope) Party Igbal Aghazada claiming they seek "to extend the existence of incumbent authorities."
Panah Huseyn, an MP from the opposition Musavat party, said no one has the right to serve as president for more than two terms in any of the Council of Europe (CE) member states.
"We have never witnessed such changes in the CE region, as they take place only in countries like Zimbabwe," the lawmaker maintained.
"Given that most of the election commissions are controlled by incumbent authorities, we do not trust the outcome of the referendum, and we have said this from the very beginning," he said.
Further, Huseyn alleged that influential non-governmental organizations are opposed to the current Referendum Act. "Therefore, we believe this is not a result of reforms, but is a manifestation of a lack of democracy."
The Azerbaijani president is elected for five years. The country`s Constitution was adopted in 1995 and was subsequently amended in 2002.
Changes to Azerbaijan`s Constitution may be enacted only by holding a referendum. If amendments are proposed by parliament or the president, they must be approved by the Constitutional Court.
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