Today last day for applications to observe referendum

By Azernews

By Amina Nazarli

A number of procedures in connection with the upcoming referendum on additions and amendments to the Azerbaijani Constitution have been accomplished so far.

Deadline for submission of applications to Central Election Commission (CEC) in connection with the observation at the referendum ends on September 16 across the country.

The term to refer to the CEC, regarding the special permission to observe sessions of election commissions before the voting day, also ends on Friday.

As of September 7, the CEC has registered 846 observers for the upcoming referendum, and 37,429 observers on the polling stations.

In addition, the term established for the preparation of ballots for voting in the referendum also ends on the same day.

Meanwhile, the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Uzbekistan said that everything is ready for the referendum.

First Secretary of the Azerbaijani diplomatic mission Leila Orujova said that the Embassy set up polling station, election commission, organized the lists of Azerbaijan citizens, included on the consular register.

September 26, 2016, was set as the date for the referendum on proposed changes to the constitution of Azerbaijan and it was announced as a non-working day across the country. 

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 cancel of minimum age limit for presidential candidates, and dissolution of parliament by the president.

The League of Protection of Labor rights, Center for Aid and independent advice "For Civil Society" and, Independent Research Center ELS passed registration to conduct Exit Poll.

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.