Azerbaijan, Baku, March 25 / Trend , J.Babayeva/
Azerbaijan was well prepared to the referendum and held it on the highest level, Central Election Commission chairman Mazahir Panahov said at the meeting of CEC on March 25.
"Both international and local observers said that the referendum was held on the highest level," Panahov added.
On March 18, Azerbaijan held a referendum to amend 29 articles of the Constitution.
The Constitution was adopted in 1995. Amendments and additions were made in 2002.
According to CEC, 87-92 percent of voters supported the amendments.
The referendum proposes replacing the current version of the 5th paragraph of Article 101 of the Constitution, which states that "no person shall be elected President of the Republic of Azerbaijan for more than two consecutive terms," by an option to extend the incumbent president's term in the event of ongoing military operations. The presidential term is 5 years.
President Ilham Aliyev was elected to the post in 2003 and 2008.
A total of 41 amendments to 29 articles are planned. The amendments envisage postponing parliamentary elections in the event of military operations, banning video and audio recordings and photographs of individuals against their own will and providing financial support to ex-presidents
Panahov expressed thanks to diplomatic corps of foreign countries in Azerbaijan for their constructive cooperation with CEC. "The U.S. Britain and other countries observer missions have submitted negative facts to CEC. These missions offered to CEC ways out of the situation and improve the election conditions," Panahov added.
The appeals by the Movement for Karabakh and Republicans agitation groups on referendum were also reviewed at the meeting of CEC. These groups said that there were violations during the election process.
CEC member Gabil Orujov said that 77 appeals by agitation groups related to violations during the referendum were rejected. CEC will review other appeals together with district election commissions, Orujov said.