OSCE not to observe nationwide poll on presidential terms
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in
Europe (OSCE) will not observe Azerbaijan`s March 18 nationwide
poll on removing the constitutional provision banning the election
of a president more than twice.
The OSCE said monitoring the referendum on the constitutional changes was outside its mandate, as the group observes only presidential and parliamentary elections.
The Azerbaijani parliament on December 26 approved holding the referendum. The draft Act of Referendum on Addenda and Amendments to the Constitution was overwhelmingly backed in the legislature.
Opposition lawmakers opposed the constitutional changes, and some international groups claimed the constitutional reform was a move seeking to promote alleged authoritarianism in the country.
In the meantime, the opposition Musavat party requested general director of the Public Television (PTV) and Radio Broadcasting Company, Ismayil Omarov, to provide air time to state its views on the planned referendum. It noted that PTV has a duty to convey to the local public the ideas and views of the country`s leading forces.
"By filing this appeal, we imply allocation of separate air time on PTV in order to convey to the people our position on this referendum, which envisions undemocratic changes to the Constitution," the party alleged. "This appeal of ours is in keeping with both the Election Code and the Law on Political Parties."
The Azerbaijani president is elected for five years. Changes to Azerbaijan`s Constitution may be enacted only by holding a referendum. If the amendments are proposed by parliament or the president, they must be approved by the Constitutional Court.
The OSCE said monitoring the referendum on the constitutional changes was outside its mandate, as the group observes only presidential and parliamentary elections.
The Azerbaijani parliament on December 26 approved holding the referendum. The draft Act of Referendum on Addenda and Amendments to the Constitution was overwhelmingly backed in the legislature.
Opposition lawmakers opposed the constitutional changes, and some international groups claimed the constitutional reform was a move seeking to promote alleged authoritarianism in the country.
In the meantime, the opposition Musavat party requested general director of the Public Television (PTV) and Radio Broadcasting Company, Ismayil Omarov, to provide air time to state its views on the planned referendum. It noted that PTV has a duty to convey to the local public the ideas and views of the country`s leading forces.
"By filing this appeal, we imply allocation of separate air time on PTV in order to convey to the people our position on this referendum, which envisions undemocratic changes to the Constitution," the party alleged. "This appeal of ours is in keeping with both the Election Code and the Law on Political Parties."
The Azerbaijani president is elected for five years. Changes to Azerbaijan`s Constitution may be enacted only by holding a referendum. If the amendments are proposed by parliament or the president, they must be approved by the Constitutional Court.
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