Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 26
By Ilhama Isabalayeva – Trend:
The referendum on amendments to Azerbaijan’s Constitution has been held successfully, said Ali Ahmadov, deputy prime minister and deputy chairman-executive secretary of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party, at a press conference Sept. 26.
The high activity of voters can be noted, according to the information received from all polling stations, said Ahmadov.
The country’s citizens showed great responsibility towards the referendum, he added.
The referendum to make amendments to Azerbaijan’s Constitution kicked off at 08:00 and wrapped up at 19:00 (UTC/GMT +4).
As of 19:00 (GMT+4) 3,671,707 (69.7 percent) people have voted in the constitutional referendum in Azerbaijan, according to the Election Information Center of the Central Election Commission (CEC).
Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree July 18 on submitting the draft Referendum Act “On making amendments to Azerbaijan’s constitution” to the Constitutional Court.
The draft Referendum Act envisages establishing first vice-president and vice-president positions in Azerbaijan, extending the president’s term of office from five years to seven years, giving the authority to the president to dissolve the parliament (Milli Majlis) and declare early presidential election, removing the age limit for presidential election, decreasing the age limit from 25 to 18 for participation in the parliamentary election.