CEC chairman: Constitutional referendum serves to maintain stability in Azerbaijan [UPDATE]

By Azernews

By Amina Nazarli

The constitutional referendum to be held in Azerbaijan on September 26 will serve to maintain stability in the country.

Mazahir Panahov, Chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC) made the remark at a meeting with the heads of district election commissions on August 18.

“Azerbaijan is developing rapidly, and population’s level of living increases. Previous elections were held in the country in accordance with the highest standards, and we have to hold the upcoming referendum at the same high level,” Panahov said.

The CEC chairman went on to say that some forces in the world use the elections to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries. “We should prevent it and timely eliminate even the smallest defects. Education of precinct election commissions will eliminate these shortcomings,” he noted.

Speaking at the event, Zeynal Nagdaliyev, chief of the department on work with regional management bodies and local self-management bodies at Azerbaijan’s Presidential Administration said that Azerbaijan has an improved electoral law, which must be protected.

“Shortcomings in the work are inadmissible, so that interested parties cannot take advantage of them,” he emphasized.

He also pointed to Azerbaijan’s intensive development as compared to the previous decade.

“International organizations used to criticize us 10-15 years ago, put questions before us. Those problems have already been eliminated,” said the official. “There is political stability in Azerbaijan and our task is to contribute to it.”

Nagdaliyev also noted that electoral lists should be specified and state authorities should work together in this direction.

“If someone doesn’t perform his duties adequately, we will suspend his activities,” Nagdaliyev added. “Campaign stands will be checked. If shortcomings are detected, they will be immediately addressed.”

He also noted that 1,000 web cameras will be installed at the polling stations.

Deputy Interior Minister Oruj Zalov, in turn, said that Azerbaijan’s Interior Ministry will take all measures for public order on the referendum day.

On the eve of the referendum, illegal processions, rallies, pickets will be banned, and any attempt to hinder the voting will be prevented, said the deputy minister.

He also noted that the registered groups can freely conduct campaigns.

On the referendum day, police officers will be on alert in order to prevent any attempt to hinder the voting, Zalov added.

The deputy minister said the law enforcement is assisting in the collection of signatures for registration of campaign groups.

Amendments are proposed to 29 articles of the Constitution.

The changes envisage extension of the presidential term from five to seven years, establishment of the first vice-president and vice-president positions in the country as well as abolishment of minimum age limit for presidential candidates, dissolution of parliament by the President.

Additionally, according to the proposed amendments, persons who have the right to participate in the parliamentary elections (at the age of 18) can be elected to the Parliament. Previously, the age limit for being nominated for the participation in parliamentary elections was 25 years.

The Constitutional Court of Azerbaijan approved the draft amendments to the Constitution at its meeting on July 25. The Court concluded that the changes proposed by President Ilham Aliyev are in line with the requirements of the Constitution of Azerbaijan and may be put up for a nationwide vote.

President Aliyev has signed a decree on holding a referendum on amendments to the country’s constitution on September 26, 2016. Final results of the Referendum will be announced till October 21.

The last time changes to the Constitution were made seven years ago, following Constitutional referendum held in 2009.