Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 11
By Elena Kosolapova – Trend:
Voting as part of a referendum to make amendments to the Constitution of Kyrgyzstan and elect members of local councils started at 08:00 (UTC/GMT+6) on Dec. 11.
During the constitutional referendum Kyrgyz citizens will be able to vote for or against the introduction of over 20 amendments to the Constitution of Kyrgyzstan.
The amendments, in particular, envisage strengthening the prime minister’s powers in relation to the parliament of Kyrgyzstan. The amendments also cover the regulations of the Constitution relating to high values – human rights and citizenship.
During the referendum, citizens can vote "for" and "against" all amendments as a whole. It is impossible to choose some amendments out of a list of amendments. The referendum will be declared valid if more than 30 percent out of 2.851 million citizens included in the electoral lists cast vote.
The voting will last until 20:00 (GMT+6).
Kyrgyzstan’s current Constitution was adopted in the referendum in June 2010, immediately after the overthrow of Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev. Those amendments changed the form of government in Kyrgyzstan from presidential to parliamentary. Kyrgyzstan’s main law has been changed several times since 1991 when the country gained independence.
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