Azerbaijan’s referendum voting to extend abroad

By Azernews

By Nigar Abbasova

Preparations for the forthcoming constitutional referendum, which is scheduled for September 26, are currently underway in Azerbaijan.

Spokesperson for Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, Hikmet Hajiyev told Trend that polling stations will be created in diplomatic representations, located in some 40 countries to ensure participation of the country’s citizens (residing abroad or sent on an assignment trip) in the referendum.

Under the Article 35.6 of Azerbaijan’s Electoral Code, polling stations are created 30 days before the voting day in countries, where the number of voters who are on the consular register, exceeds 50.

Such polling stations may only be created during referendums and presidential elections.

The Foreign Ministry has already submitted all necessary information including the list of diplomatic representations and consulates as well as the number of citizens in each polling district to the Central Election Committee (CEC).   

Hajiyev added that all necessary measures are currently being taken to provide glass boxes, bulletin, ink and other materials required for voting.

Meanwhile, the venues of meetings, which will be held in the lead-up to the nationwide vote, have been defined in accordance with the law “On Freedom of Meeting”.

Some 128 open and 128 closed venues will be created in 117 election stations. The list of venues is available on http://azertag.az/store/files/REFERENDUM-SERBEST%20TOPLASHMAQ-ACIQ%20VE%20QAPALI%20YERLER.pdf.

The CEC has already approved planned schedule of its activities and events connected with the referendum. Expert panel as well as working group under the CEC will be established to investigate complaints connected with the violation of electoral rights.

Agitation campaign will be launched 23 days prior to the voting day (September 3) and will be completed 24 hours before the start of the referendum (September 25).

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 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.

 The Constitutional Court gave the go ahead for the proposed changes on July 27.

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