CEC: Azerbaijan enjoys necessary democratic environment to conduct high-level referendum

By Azernews

By Gunay Hasanova

Azerbaijan has all conditions and democratic environment for conducting a free, fair and transparent referendum at a high level, Chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC) Mazahir Panahov said at a meeting with U.S. Ambassador to Baku Robert Cekuta on September 21.

Cekuta expressed his satisfaction with the close cooperation between the structure he heads and the CEC.

Moreover, he expressed gratitude to the CEC Chairman and inquired about the work done regarding the preparation for referendum to be held on September 26.

Panahov said the CEC is always open to cooperation with international organizations, and these relations play an important role in the further improvement of the election and referendum practice.

The CEC chair further spoke about the large-scale projects implemented in order to better ensure the country's electoral law, the principles of election commissions’ activities and the rights of citizens.

The sides also exchanged views on possible prospects of cooperation between structures in different areas and issues of mutual interest.

September 26, 2016, was set as the date for the referendum on proposed changes to the constitution of Azerbaijan.

The Electoral Code of Azerbaijan indicates that the day of the popular vote should be non-working.

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

The Central Election Commission (CEC) has so far registered 846 observers for the upcoming referendum. The district polling stations have registered 37,429 observers.

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.